Wingtip Protection
 

Our new field is still pretty rough so I want to protect my wingtips
from those less than perfect landings. I've seen where pilots have
mounted curved wire to the wing for protection. How are these mounted?
What are some other ideas for this project?
Thanks,
KW_Counter

RE: Wingtip Protection
 

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbyking/s...og/008-603.jpg

found here : [link=http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8702&Product_Name=Wing_S kids_L50xH18mm_(10pcs/set)]hobby king[/link]

Or, you can glue some round servo arms cut in half as well.

RE: Wingtip Protection
 

There is also a clear tip protector that has an adheisive on one side and you just stick it on. If memory serves me correct it comes in a 12 inch chunk and you cut it to size. Good Luck, Dave

RE: Wingtip Protection
 

Wire wing tip skids are just made from regular wire such as pushrod wire. You cut off a short peice of wire and bend it in the shape of a "U", then you can drill 2 small holes somewhere in the tip rib (in the place that it will rub on the wing), put glue on the wire (CA or Epoxy) and push it down in the holes.

RE: Wingtip Protection
 

Our runway is a good asphalt surface but wih my skills, I try and protect anything I can. I make skids from poplar shaped to fit wing profile and mount to wing tip with screws. It helps to be able to add doubler to the wing former you mount to but this requires removing some covering, not a problem for me as my covering is off alot for repairs.

I tried the nylon skids but they have to be glued in and they are hard to remove if needed. Have to admit I have not tried the wire type, sounds like a good idea.

Good flying,

Gary

RE: Wingtip Protection
 

Not sure if we're talking about the same stuff, but my friend gave me something he called "Helicopter tape"...
It's an extremely tough clear tape used on the leading edges of the rotors to help prevent erosion.
Works great on model wing tips...I used it a lot when we were flying off a concrete runway. (it's not the easiest thing to find though...and a bit expensive )

RE: Wingtip Protection
 

I know it's not very common, but I sometimes use some kind of thick self adhesive Teflon (ptfe) strips.
Usually found in hardware stores.

It's tough and slides, so no damage at all.

RE: Wingtip Protection
 

Ahh, Polytetrafloraethylene, I knew this engineering materials class I am taking would come in handy. I have just learned all about it:D

RE: Wingtip Protection
 

Yup, those are MUCH better than tape, etc.

The plastic tips prevent the wing from contacting the ground causing road rash...

RE: Wingtip Protection
 

Too late. All my planes already have road rash on the wingtips. I just use clear. Packing tape to bandage the wound. Holds pretty good and provides a little protection till a proper repair. But. Mostly I just end up using more tape .

RE: Wingtip Protection
 

With these plastic wing tips, you can glue them or/and screw them as well.

I have them on a low wing trainer used a some kind of test bed/no care/ stunt plane.

RE: Wingtip Protection
 

LOL! holy crap! I thought I was the only one that did that! Packing tape is your friend, right next to the duct tape, baling wire and CA!

RE: Wingtip Protection
 

I've used them on planes ranging in size from .25's through 50cc composites.

I've put them on every plane I own.

The key is to install them AFTER the plane is built so you can test the points of potential ground contact.

You want the guards at the lowest point where the wing may contact the ground during a ground loop, etc.

Installed properly they are great. No wing tip damage what-so-ever.

RE: Wingtip Protection
 

I use the plastic wing tips but I have also used the Nylon string from brush cutters and glued it along the wing tips. It comes in different sizes and colors, even clear so it doesn't show. When I build my planes I add wood at the wing tips so there is some extra thickness at the tips for the wing tip protectors shown. I have even seen control horns used. Clear plastic from a soda bottle siliconed to the tip was often used on fun fly planes. I have covered the tips with four layers of covering before the final main covering, it works but like tape, it can't take too many wing scrapes on a hard runway before it wears out. A lot of ways to do the same thing.

Has any body tried the white plastic command hooks? I will try those and post later.

I see no point in trying to adapt something for this purpose. The wingtip skids are pretty much perfect. A strip of duct tape works too just to prevent scuffs to the covering on concrete runways.

Welcome to the forum, BTW. I'll point out that you resurrected an 8 year old thread. That's not necessarily bad, but when you have a question or a thought to share it's better to start a new thread.