How many line the wing saddle with the foam rubber strips? I had some of the more experienced pilots tell me to take it out. It makes it harder to get the wing seated good. I am using it on my Avistar.

I have had only 1 plane where I used the tape and it was my Avistar. Ironic huh? I found that it works ok, but the probelm you refer to about seating the wing is true. I also had trouble keeping it in place as well. The glue starts to soften up over time and I was constantly pressing it back down. For me, if the wing follows the saddle real close without any large gaps, I don't use it.

Well whatda you know

I also foam line my AVISTAR 's wing saddle.

Last time I flew it kept making very very slight rolls to the right. could this be the culprit? and on the last flight it also kept pitching down no matter how much trim I used.


Thanks

I don't use it.

(But then, I don't have an Avistar )

I have seen the foam idea cause more problems that its worth. If its put in the wrong place it can cause the angle of the wing to change. To get a good seal I use light weight wood filler agaist the wing saddle. I put wax paper on the wing and tighten down the wing to squeeze out the excess. When its dry I dremel the excess off the edges for a smooth finish. Then I ca the wood filler to fuel proof it. [8D]

i used it on my pt-40 and the wing fit fine.

I used it on my trainer, but haven't used it since. Doubt that I ever will.

As long as you have a good wing to saddle fit there's really no reason to use it.
Dennis-

Thanks for all the responses. I think I might take it out before I fly again. But I will need to remeasure everything before I do. I noticed my plane is always wanting to turn left. I think the foam is the culprit. I will have to try it and see.

I used in my trainer too.

It looks like it is tariner thing. WIth all those rubber bands I did not have any seating issue, it was Tower Trainer.

But probably would not use it anymore.

I used epoxy on a strip of thin felt, that way It was firm but softer than wing to wood contact. you do have to dab it with a papertowl on the muffler side to get the oil gunk out, but the layer of epoxy keeps it from the wood (Eagle 2)

I used it on my trainer and thats it. I found that when your use rubber bands, that extra thickness does not matter. But when you seat the wing using screws, that extra thinckness gets in the way of the tab on the LE. Not willing to take a chance modifying that.

I always use it, and usually suggest to my students to use it. Mostly because with out it, the engine vibration can cause the fuse and wing to rub. If it rubs enoguh, it can wear though the covering and then in to the wing structure (depending on how your wing is built).

One of the absolute best, but most time consumign ways to do a wing saddle is to cover the bottom of the wing with wax paper, then put a bead of clear silicon sealant (from the hardware store, in the calking section), then band or screw on the wing until the silicon dries. You get a low-slip, fuel proof, soft wing saddle that won't come off.

But, it's obviously a personal preference thing.

I still use the same method I was shown about 25 yrs ago. Using an incidence meter (assuming a dowel in the front of the wing) hard-shim the back of the wing until the wing incidence is per plan. Then, remove the wing from the fuse, roughen up the saddle with some sandpaper. tape wax paper on the wing where the saddle will sit, apply a bead of silicone seal on the roughened surface, re-install the wing with rubber bands or wing bolts to hold the wing tight against the hard shim allowing the excess silicone to squeeze out the sides. After the silicone sealant has dried you can very easily trim away the excess on either side of the wing saddles leaving you with a fuelproof, fuel- tight, and soft mount for the wing. I also apply where the wing's leading and trailing edge mate with the fuselage to that the whole thing is fuel-tight. Make sure you get the roughened surface of the saddle oil-free before gluing by using alcohol. The stuff comes in several colors including clear, white and beige, so it blends in nice too!