What is the best way to cut ribs out from a plan? I've heard things like scanning them onto a computer, printing them and ironing them on the balsa whilst ink is wet. I've also heard that making a cardboard template is a good method.

If it's a straight wing, ie all the ribs are the same, I use tracing paper to make two templates out of 1/16 ply then sandwich balsa rectangles big enough for the ribs and the correct quantity. You can pin them all together or use long bolts. Then you just plane and sand to the templates and voila all the ribs are cut out. you can also cut all the notches for the spars at the same time. I hope this helps.
Bill

Thanks, What does the plan mean when it says '1/4 x 1/8 capping on ribs'?

It means the ribs are capped with 1/8" thick x 1/4" wide strips of balsa.

The rib is capped with 'cap strips'. these are balsa peices, as stated above, and glued to botht he top and bottom of the exposed rib, creating an 'I' beam in effect, and adds structure to teh wing. The thickness of teh cap strip is usually always teh same as the wing sheeting. They butt up against the LE sheeting,and teh TE sheeting..

Cap Strips:

You have just been graced with another excellent MinnFlyer drawing!

Minn, do you have a large drawing of a plane that you just "cut" the parts out for the appropriate answer?

I'm starting to wonder what Minn does all day!!

Surf this site, and create pretty pictures.... and I bet he 'tries' to fly on the week-ends!!!

Thanks for your help. I thought that might be what it was but the sheeting at the LE and TE is 1/16" sheet. Do you think where it says 1/8 x 1/4 for capping is a mistake. Is it suppost to say 1/16 x 1/4 capping?

1/16 x 1/4 is very common for cap strips. My guess is that it's a typo.