Ok, my old man doen't like the look of monokot over the ribs on the leading edge of the wing. He's wanting to add a balsa skin to the leading edge of his Venture 60 wing.

Jonboy -

If you're asking on how to do this? - I'd sheet it with 1/16 back to the main spar, then use cap strips feathered back to the trailing edge. Or, cap the trailing edge and center section sheeting with 1/16 too.

It would add a lot of strength - and some weight, and is probably not worth doing at all. The wing looks ok to me as designed.

Bob

No, Dad knows how to do this. What I’m asking is, does anyone think it’s a good idea?

it's not really necessary IMAO

will the weight hurt it if he does it?

Didn't hurt my 4*60 to do it. BUt it will depend on the engine also.

not really, the weight increase won't be very significative

The wing already looks like it was designed by a tank builder . I do not feel that it would require it. But it is his plane if he does not like the look of it as is . Then It would not hurt to add sheeting .

It all depends on what you like and how it looks to you when done. Just have fun

Since so many wings are designed that way anyway (with sheeting from the leading edge back to the spar), I can't see how it would hurt. I agree with Dad that it would look better.

Personally, sheeting the leading edge is one of my least favorite parts of building a wing, so I'd be happy with a design that doesn't use it!

in addition to add cap strips, you will have to increase the depth of the trailing edge

Yea, Dad knows what he has to do to make it right. He will prabably end up doing it, and being the perfectionist he is, it will be done right.

It would add a lot more torsional strength as it turns into a box leading edge. Try twisting the wing now, then try it after you sheet it and see the difference. It's worthwhile. Pin the wing down with a bit of washout in it before you put the last top LE sheeting on.

the plane doesn't need washout and if washout is built into the wing inverted flight will suffer,also when sheeting the wing if the control surface is thinner than the trailing edge[wing to aileron]you will be opening the door to high speed flutter.

delete

I am the Dad in this case and If I go ahead and sheet the areas shown on my sons picture at the beginning I will use a template to mark and then cut down the wing ribs so that the sheeting will not add any thickness to the wing but will fit between the spars. If you look at the picture again you will see that I only intend to add sheeting on the first two bays on the top and the first bay only on the bottom (by bay I mean the opening in the wing present between the spars all the way along the wing). I felt this Mod would do two things for me. 1) It would make the Monocote look smoother along the front of the wing and 2) It would add strength to the wing although the strength probably is not required.

Hi Dad!