VincentJ

Thanks Tom!

This morning I was eager on getting started checking the wings incidence. The wing was secured to the fuse with two 1/4-20 nylon wing bolts. Note: The rubber band you see is holding the leading edge of the wing tight against the bottom of the fuse. The two wing dowels have not been installed, nor should they be until the wing incidence is set.

Leveling the Fuselage
In order to accurately check the wing incidence, the fuselage needs to be perfectly leveled out. Checking the plans you need to determine where the aircrafts datum line (center line) is. On this model the datum line is the top longeron. Leveling this model couldn't be easier since the top of the fuses longeron was covered with lite ply (PT-1) making a very nice place for your level to rest.

Shims bought at my local hardware store was used to level everything out. The shims were placed under the stands feet until the bubble on the level was where I wanted it to be.

I'm using the Robart Model Incidence Meter which I find very versatile and easy to use. The meter is attached to the wings leading and trailing edge using sliding vee blocks. The amount of incidence can then be read off the meter's dial. This model calls for 2 degrees of positive incidence and I'm currently at 2-1/2 degrees positive. I'm off by 1/2 degree! I will dismount the wing and remove a slight amount of material from the wing saddles trailing edge which should bring the incidence into specs.

This is why the front wing dowels shouldn't be installed until this process is done. Once the incidence is established the dowels can then be installed.