Aileron Capstrip Message Board

• I'm working on the aileron and got the materials kit from Spruce. They sent me a lot of cap strip (about 1/4 inch) that is not called for on the materials list. I've seen pictures of ailerons both with and without capstrip on the ribs. Is there an update to the plans that I don't have? Or are some people just building with capstrip because it gives more gluing area? Any recommendations? I have cut out and glued a couple of practice ribs without the capstrip (blocking only) and they seemed to work out ok. Also, on the fabric covering, are people doing any rib stitching or just gluing the fabric on?

From: Brian Denk
akroguy@hotmail.com
As a total newbie here, (might buy a 1D project soon), I would advise to always refer to standard aircraft maintenance practices when the plans leave you guessing. For fabric surfaces in general, machined ply wooden ribs should be capstripped, and the fabric rib stitched. A non-capstripped rib would present a rather sharp edge to the fabric and cause chafing/cutting over time. An option to this would be to not capstrip, and cover the ailerons with ply. No stitching! Just my two cents, but I certainly suggest waiting for a genuine 1D builder with experience in this area to comment before you press on.

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From: Eileen
I checked with Dan Rihn and he said that they added the cap strip when they found problems with the ribs crushing when they did the fabric covering. I guess it didn't get updated in the plans (or maybe I missed an update with all my moving around the country). He also recommended rib stitching.

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From: Mike Newall
mike.newall@btinternet.com
We are well on with our 1D. We have decided to use cap strips and fully sheet the ailerons. This is from feedback from guys in California who are flying them and from Scheunemann who makes the wood kits. Yes they are heavier, but at 150kts plus, do you want to worry about the strength of your ailerons when you whack them full over............ No, I thought not ! If you need a source of Oukume, we have one in UK. Email me.

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From: Fritz Guenther
Cap and stitch the aileron ribs. If you go with plywood covered ailrons they will look nice but you'll have to add a lot more weight to the nose to get them to balance out.

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