I have a new Four Star 40 and did a search for modifications. One was to use nylon bolts for the landing gear and wings. I’ve seen it on landing gear at the field but is it safe for the wings?

it's good for wings, if you crash the bolts will snap and save your wing. unfortunatly i know from experience.

DT

Many planes have their wings held on with 1/4 x 20 nylon/plastic screws. Done properly, it's a good mod.

I have 8-32 nylon on the wings here.

I am using 1/4 – 20 nylon bolts on two four star 60’s and on a 22 pound gaser. Once on ground roll out after landing the gasser hit a big cedar tree. The wing was damaged but the bolts did not shear.

Bill

GOOD TIP

If you break a bolt and need to get the stub out. Heat up a screwdriver until it melts the nylon and push it into the stub. You now have a slot and can unscrew the stub.

Absolutely safe. They also look neater and are easier to maintain than rubber bands.

On a .40 size plane, the most you need on the wing is 10-32, unless you fly pylon. Drill and tap the bolt blocks with a 5/32" drill and a 10-32 tap. A #21 drill is actually the proper size, but the 5/32" works well and is easier to find. Soak the threads with thin CA, let dry. Re-tap. Do this again. The threads will never pull out.

On the landing gear, I'd use 4 10-32 or 3 (two in front, one in back) 1/4-20 bolts, depending on how soft your landings are.

Dr.1

I just finished a Fourstar 40 kit and it came with nylon bolts.

Thanks guys. On a side note, should I use fiberglass tape to help hold the wings together? It does not recommend it.

I just built a 4 * from a kit and it came with the fiberglass tape . Maybe the ARF wing is different ? If your flying style puts a lot of load on the airframe , you might want to fiberglass it.

What insanemoondoggie said.

Dr.1

I couldn't agree more on the nylon bolts for the landing gear. I used the three steel screws that came with the 4*60 kit and the first "hard landing" the landing gear came right off. along with the mounting and parts of the fuse. Replacing the stock landing gear with the Dubro somposite and useing four 10/24 nylon, the gear stays put but it will snap of if you run into a gopher hole which we have a lot of around the field. I know, we have a paved runway, but evey now and then, it moves from under the plane just before touch down, and then I find the gopher holes.

Don

Thanks guys. I just checked and the 4* does come with the nylon bolts for the wings, my mistake. But I will modify the landing gear and reinforce the wing.

Great tips! I have been doing a lot of reading on the 4* lately. I am just learning but I think I want the 4* to be my "second" plane. As a matter of fact I have placed the 60 size kit on my list of strongly suggested father's day presents

Even if the kit didn't use bolts for the wing, I had planned to install them. I currently have an Avistar and having to deal with those greasy rubber bands is less than fun. I had not however thought about using nylon bolts for the landing gear. I am definitely going to putting this on the list of mods for when I do get the kit.

Thanks!