How close is good enough on Aileron & Flap Trailing Edges?

[inktomi]

Hi -

I made a big mistake and riveted the hinges on my flaps in place before aligning my flaps with my ailerons. It turns out, though, they're pretty close - the flap would need to come out about 1/16" to make it perfect with the aileron in a neutral position.

I think this is purely cosmetic, and I feel like it meets the 5-foot rule for cosmetic things. Is this trailing edge alignment actually cosmetic or is there a safety issue or control issue as well? Would you remove and replace the hinge if this were your build?

 

[fl-mike]

Park with the flaps down….
Build on.

 

[Roadjunkie1]

Hi -

I made a big mistake and riveted the hinges on my flaps in place before aligning my flaps with my ailerons. It turns out, though, they're pretty close - the flap would need to come out about 1/16" to make it perfect with the aileron in a neutral position.

I think this is purely cosmetic, and I feel like it meets the 5-foot rule for cosmetic things. Is this trailing edge alignment actually cosmetic or is there a safety issue or control issue as well? Would you remove and replace the hinge if this were your build?

View attachment 67711View attachment 67712

No. No one will notice but you. Build on!

 

[inktomi]

Thank you for the replies! I wanted to make sure that this was purely cosmetic and not some weirdo aerodynamic issue of some sort. I don't think this gap is egregious. You only notice it with a straight edge.

 

[inktomi]

That said, I might as well ask while I have your attention - any pro tips on getting the washers into place inside the aileron hinges? I did it for one of them, and then bought the Avery pins for the rest. It's a real PITA getting those washers into place inside the hinges! Is there a trick to make it easier? I ended up cutting a notch out of cardboard, but that doesn't work for the very thin 10L washers that get stacked up on the outer hinges.

 

[MED]

That said, I might as well ask while I have your attention - any pro tips on getting the washers into place inside the aileron hinges? I did it for one of them, and then bought the Avery pins for the rest. It's a real PITA getting those washers into place inside the hinges! Is there a trick to make it easier? I ended up cutting a notch out of cardboard, but that doesn't work for the very thin 10L washers that get stacked up on the outer hinges.

Washer Wrench Set | Aircraft Spruce ®

Washer Wrench Set Washer Wrench Set. This is a (4) piece washer wrench set. It's used to hold AN/aircraft washers to reach into hard to reach areas.

www.aircraftspruce.com

you won’t regret buying these.

 

[inktomi]

That looks like EXACTLY the tool for the job, and not made out of cardboard! Thank you!!

 

[airguy]

Washer Wrench Set | Aircraft Spruce ®

Washer Wrench Set Washer Wrench Set. This is a (4) piece washer wrench set. It's used to hold AN/aircraft washers to reach into hard to reach areas.

www.aircraftspruce.com

you won’t regret buying these.

Beat me to it.

Yes, get these. You'll use them a half dozen times in various places, and it's an absolute must-have for those half-dozen times.

 

[Desert Rat]

I have washer wrenches and they’re great, but another trick that you can have up your sleeve is that if you’re installing a stack of washers you can superglue them together and install them as a complete stack

 

[jcarne]

Once you are flying you will look back a lot and say "man why was I worried about that". Worried may not be the right word but you get my point. Build on brother!

 

[inktomi]

Thanks! I would have not thought to tack the stack of washers together with a dab of glue. That’s a great tip!

 

[Norman CYYJ]

Thanks! I would have not thought to tack the stack of washers together with a dab of glue. That’s a great tip!

It is also a good idea gluing them because when you take things apart they will be in the right order when putting them back together.

 

[Aden Rich]

I added spacers to the aileron mounts to push the aileron out to the edge of the flaps so they are all in trail. Took me about an hour. It's all what you want to live with.

 

[inktomi]

That wouldn’t work for me, but is a good idea! My ailerons are already out about 1/16” compared to the flap. The other wing is even closer.

 

[PhatRV]

My flap is also slightly shorter. If you I pull the flap rearward, with the slight plays of the piano hinge, I got the distance to be smaller. I didn't see any performance difference. Plus the flaps are stowed in the downward position and nobody will notice. In addition, the Vans tech support also said the same thing when I called them when fitting the flap.