RivetBangers.com

I thought I'd pass this bit of info on about cutting your longerons. I can't figure out why Van's has such a precise length callout for the longerons at 173 7/16".

The instructions actually say this...



If they're slightly short, don't worry about it? Okay...

I guess what I'm getting at is this, don't cut them TOO short, but just make sure you're around 173 1/2". You'll be trimming them anyway at 173 7/16". I cut 1/4" off each one to get the required 3/4" from the front of the skin.



I don't know how short is too short (I would guess less than 173" even), but if you're off a little, it may not be the end of the world for those longerons...

I just found that little paragraph in the instructions interesting.

Thanks Chad! I appreciate you pointing that out. It will save a me some stress.

Wish I had searched the archive and seen this before I measured those longerons again and again...and again...and again...



Dave

I remember those days. Its kind of the same thing with the bends. Get them pretty close, then move on. You can dial them in later as you clamp it down for the drilling.

Spike

Yep - little things like this are exactly the reason that repeat offenders can build an airplane in 1/2 the time it takes for the first one. The learning curve is steep and brutal.

I, for one, fully intend to make the absolute most of my hard-gained knowledge, and I've already picked out an HRII as my next one....

If I do a next one I am thinking tube and fabric with a little wheel in the back.