Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Robert E Pickens on November 24, 2009 at 6:38am

Mathieu, probably a stupid question, but when removing the center wing spar and forward uprights do we need to be concerned about the fuselage twisting, sagging or bulging? In the blog I did not see any additional support on or under the fuselage so I assume that the mono-coupe construction has enough strength to hold everything in position. Am I correct in this assumption? Also will the final drawings be available on-line?

Bob Pickens Troy, Mo.

Permalink Reply by Matt Heintz on November 24, 2009 at 2:57pm

Bob,
Yes, you can keep the aircraft on the gear when doing this. The aircraft will not bend or twist. Yes, we will post the final drawings on line for free.

Permalink Reply by Bob Pustell on November 24, 2009 at 10:08am

Hi, Gang. I am putting out a thought/suggestion to help those that really need the upgrade kit right away. If you need the upgrade NOW (your built airplane is grounded, your partially built plane is ready for the upgrade parts, etc.) then order it up.

If you are like me and have waited to see how this washes out before beginning construction (or are already building but not yet to the point where you need the upgrade parts) then wait a few months to order so that the available kits will go to those that really need them right away.

As a fringe benefit, the delayed order people will benefit from whatever field installation experience wisdom accumulates. And, if the kit is modified after learning a few lessons, we would get the improved kit (if there is one) by waiting to order. Works for everyone.

Permalink Reply by Matt Heintz on November 24, 2009 at 2:58pm

Bob,
Good point. If you will not be flying anyways in the near future, no rush.

Permalink Reply by Larry Whitlow on November 24, 2009 at 1:58pm

Mathieu

Will the upgrade kit include the bolts in place of the driven rivets for the main spar?? Or are we going to have both sent to us so we can decide as we go along??

Larry Whitlow

Permalink Reply by Matt Heintz on November 24, 2009 at 3:01pm

Larry,
The kit will include the solid rivets as they are preferred. If you will need the bolts, you will need to purchase them.

Permalink Reply by Matt Heintz on November 24, 2009 at 4:24pm

Steve,
The retrofit kit will include the 5/16" bolts. If you have 3/8" bolts, they are fine. However, people who have 5/16" should not open up to 3/8".

Permalink Reply by Larry Whitlow on November 24, 2009 at 4:15pm

Mathieu

Since I have never driven a rivet that size and have no tools to do such, I'm pretty sure I don't want to learn on the wing spar. I'd rather use the bolts. So Two questions..

1 When you say rivets are preferred, is there a reason?? Do bolts have downside??

2.Can bolts be used in place of all of the large spar rivets we have to drill out, including the center section?

Larry

Permalink Reply by Matt Heintz on November 24, 2009 at 4:21pm

Larry,
Solid rivets are excellent fasteners as they fill the hole and by doing this, its better for fatigue etc. Also, solid rivets are significantly lighter.
Yes, you can replace all the solid rivets with bolts, but the bolts have to be installed properly. Preferable into a tight-fitting hole, and torqued close to the max. allowable torque value.

Permalink Reply by Louis W. Ott on November 24, 2009 at 3:04pm

Will a proper size reamer be included with the kit so, at a minimum, the spar bolt holes through the added material will be sized correctly for the new bolts. Simple drilling can produce a hole that is too large for a standard size bolt?

Permalink Reply by Matt Heintz on November 24, 2009 at 3:12pm

Louis, at $352 USD, no tools are supplied in the upgrade kit.

Permalink Reply by Eric Rappaport on November 24, 2009 at 4:42am

Not to be obstructionist, but has anyone flown a 601 with the upgrade package installed? Do we know that this isn't causing a different problem?

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