Fixing fiberglass wing-tips to the RV

JOHN TIPTON · Post by **JOHN TIPTON** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 3:48 am

Hi Guys

In the instructions for the fixing of the Fibreglass wing-tips to the RV(9a)
wings, the option is, either rivets or screws (into nutplates) and if
choosing
this method, the plans call out is for 6-32 screws, however if you buy the
'Cleaveland' nutplate and screw kit for the RV wing tips (
https://www.cleavelandtoolstore.com/pro ... ber=WHS220 ), the screws
are 4-40 - for you who have gone
before which screws did you choose to use, the 6-32 size or the 4-40
option

Best regards

John

bruceh · Post by **bruceh** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:16 pm

I bought the nutplates and stainless steel screws directly from Van's. I used 6-32. I also put in the aluminum reinforcement strips that are called out for the pop rivets. These come with the wing kit.

More commentary and photos on my web site link. I would recommend doing the fitting when the wings are in the storage cradle. Make sure the end of the tips match up with the ailerons/flaps.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:20 pm

John,

I haven't done my wingtips yet but I don't see that the #4 screws would be insufficient.

I like the kit you have linked in your post but am leaning towards using piano hinges like Chad did.

Bill H. pop riveted his on and has no plans of ever looking inside his in the near future but he has surface mounted position lights.

CJ

smithhb · Post by **smithhb** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:48 pm

I used the hinge method and have no regretsâ€¦

Bob Barrett · Post by **Bob Barrett** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 7:39 pm

I used the 6-32 screws and nut plates for my wing tips. I have had them off twice already. Once was to put the wingtip nav, strobe and tail light combo on each. Anoter time was to move my OAT probe to the right wing tip because I was getting engine heat where I had located it in NACA Duct. My Wing tips aren't painted at the same color as my wings. I had planned that all along the fuselage, Vertical Stab and Rudder are Red and the Wings are white with Red tips and the landing gear fairings, wheel pants and fairings are red with a white vynl stripe down the fuselage. Everything is simple and are designed to be re-painted with out having to haul the whole airplane to a paint shop. Good luck! Have fun

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 8:02 pm

hinge method...easier than doing the screw/nutplates. and look better to boot.

Bob Barrett · Post by **Bob Barrett** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 9:08 am

Brian, The hinge method is beautiful for you but not all of us as good as you at that. In reality it may be the easiest and cheapist way to have removable tips. I am a firm believer in not riveting on the wing tips and I even wonder about riveting on the elevator tips! I don't know of a good reason for not doing it but while doing the condition inspection you wonder if a time will come when you want to look inside the elevator or rudder?

JOHN TIPTON · Post by **JOHN TIPTON** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 5:50 am

Hi Guys

Thank you for all your suggestion, we'll be going for the 6-32 (torx) screws into nutplates, I think this is the best for us, we di it on the enpennage, and I think it will be good for the wing tips too

Best regards

John (over the pond in England - RV9a, almost ready for the 'fuse)

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 10:52 am

Brian,
You are probably getting realllly tired of hearing this, but that's a beautiful job.

Joe S>

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 10:38 pm

Thanks Joe, I never get tired of it

I only posted the pic to show what is possible. Remember I'm a first time builder. I'm not special, just lazy. I dreaded doing 80+nutplates, so followed Chad and Mike B. I really think the hinge method is simpler.

1. match drill (#40)the tip to the wing, postioned with the centered aileron and cleco. If necessary adjust the trailing edge as needed.
2. Remove the tip from the wing
3. clamp in place a 1/2 hinge(use one of the wider(-5)? flanged hinges) on the inside of the tip, Match drill using the holes drilled earlier.
4. install other half of the hinge and drill both tip and hinge together, clecoing as you go.
5. remove clecos and cut the recessed lip off the tip in the hinge area only. (CAREFUL, you will use this as a shim)
6. Dimple the wing skin, countersink the fiberglass shim.
7. rivet wide 1/2 hinge and shim to wing skin
8. rivet the other half hinge to the inside of the wingtip
9. use a long pin to secure the tip to the wing & appropriate safety securing method.
DONE! ....and no puckering between screws

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:07 pm

Just looked at Chad's site. He has lots of good pictures.

Would you like a link to it?

Chad, Any (wing) tips? (pun intended!!!)

CJ

BSwayze · Post by **BSwayze** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 12:17 am

Brian, how do you know if the aileron is centered, if it's sitting in the cradle? Or did you do this after the wings are on the plane?

Post by **bullojm1** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 8:46 am

BSwayze wrote:Brian, how do you know if the aileron is centered, if it's sitting in the cradle? Or did you do this after the wings are on the plane?

Bruce,

You can figure out where the aileron center is in the cradle by aligning the trailing edge of the aileron with the tooling holes in the end of the wingtip. You will need to do this anyways to adjust the pushrod and align it with the bellcrank position (with the positioning tool).

BSwayze · Post by **BSwayze** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 5:15 pm

Oh yeah! You're right, Mike. I had forgotten that. I'll make myself a note, so when the time comes for the wingtips I won't forget again.