Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Louis Gallego on February 3, 2010 at 10:49pm

I just finished the right alieron upgrade with the mass balance and the strengthened rear spar. I also changed the flex hinge to a standard piano hinge. The plans, along with the photo blogs were very helpful. I can't believe how nice the alieron moves now and how easy it is to get a perfect balance. I just have to finish the alieron bellcrank and skin strengtheners and I can close out the wing. It's amazing how just a small amout of additional hardware can increase the wing strength dramaticly. I had 19 hrs of flight on the original design and had not problems at all, in fact I grumbled too about fixing a perfectly good aircraft, but I am impressed with how much stronger the wings will be.

Permalink Reply by Joe Scheibinger on February 4, 2010 at 11:13am

Louis,

I'm at the stage in the upgrade where I have to decide if I want my old aileron skin hinge or make the cuts and add a piano hinge. What made you decide to use the piano hinge? Which do you see as a safer and stronger option in flight and why?

Mathieu, would you also please give me your opinion?

Permalink Reply by Ted Taylor on February 4, 2010 at 5:15pm

I've gone around and around on this and have never heard anything really definitive on the whys of one or another. Yes, please, Mathieu and others, before we all finish rebuilding the wings, lets have a real in-depth discussion here. What is THE answer?

Permalink Reply by Matt Heintz on February 4, 2010 at 6:34pm

Ted,
I really do not have a preference on the aileron hinge type, especially now that we have added the counter weights. The mass majority of the accidents had the piano hinge ailerons but there are also a lot more Zodiacs flying with the piano hinges. Structurally, both are good and the flutter report was done with the hinged ailerons. So I think that its personal preference. Its as simple as that.

Permalink Reply by Ted Taylor on February 5, 2010 at 10:49am

Cripes.

Permalink Reply by Louis Gallego on February 5, 2010 at 6:57pm

The only reason I decided to change to the piano hinge was it would make it that much easier to ensure a perfectly weighted counter balance for the alerion. Plus it does look pretty cool, and moves very smooth.

Just my two cents

Permalink Reply by Joe Scheibinger on February 6, 2010 at 12:05pm

I've decided to keep the skin hinge. I'm not an engineer, but I feel the resistance of the skin hinge would further damper any future flutter.

Permalink Reply by Matt Heintz on February 9, 2010 at 5:26pm

To all,
I am now closing this discussion. If anyone has additional questions, concerns, comments, suggestions etc, please email me direct at newplane@gmail.com or call me at Zenair at 705-526-2871.

I want to thank all of you for your input, questions and suggestions.

Mathieu Heintz

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