Wing panels with difference deg. of incidence
#1

Thread Starter

Just received a second hand 65" sport model that requires some repairs, and on checking it out I found that one wing panel is at 0.0 deg. while the other one is at +1.0 deg. If I chose to leave it as is how bad an influence will this have on it flight performance.
#5
Senior Member
#6

My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Crystal,
MN
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts

If it's a sheeted wing, cut it in half and put it back together with epoxy and glass cloth.
I did this once on an Adrian Page Gee Bee (glued the wings together at different AOA that is) and it was unflyable except by the clubs hotshot pilot. And he only flew it one and said he would not fly it a second time! Yes, with every speed change and the roll trim changes. Not good.
I did this once on an Adrian Page Gee Bee (glued the wings together at different AOA that is) and it was unflyable except by the clubs hotshot pilot. And he only flew it one and said he would not fly it a second time! Yes, with every speed change and the roll trim changes. Not good.
#7

Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Chilliwack, BC, CANADA
Posts: 12,380
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes
on
14 Posts

I'd suggest the cut as well. But with a variation. One degree isn't much of a twist. So if you cut in from the leading and trailing edges but stop at the spar. Then you can block the wing panels to achieve side to side equal angles. To join things back together use a filler "rib" of balsa or plywood which matches the kerf of the saw blade. Then cap the joint with a strip of light 1 inch wide fiberglass tape with epoxy to finish the job. That way the spar joiner holds in the dihedral but you free up the wing enough to twist the panels back into alignment.
And yes, it's worth doing. It'll alter the amount of trim needed for each airspeed as Rodney says. Been there and hated it.
And yes, it's worth doing. It'll alter the amount of trim needed for each airspeed as Rodney says. Been there and hated it.