ORIGINAL: DaveL322
My comment(s) regarding balsa/foam wings showing evidence of wear - I know more than a few reputable builders that replaced foam/balsa wings every 500 - 1000 flights because they would develop flex - spanwise and in torsion. No risk of them failing, but the planes would not groove as well in turbulence. No doubt building the wings heavier to begin with would extend the life expectancy. I really don't see a problem with designing/building to a given life expectancy for the benefit of lighter weight.
Regards,
Could more carbon fiber cloth strips fix the span-wise flex developed later on? I know the common practice of building foam wings is to add two pieces as spars and one near the trailing edge. Maybe more strips should be used?