Wing Spar Repair Guidance from Bob

[jaredyates]

Bob has provided a drawing related to repairing damaged wing spars:

bearhawk-outer-spar-repair.jpg

When a wing is damaged near the tip, experience has shown that the spar damage is usually limited to the section of the spar web that does not include any cap strips. Often the damage is right at the edge of the cap strips, and that is what this drawing depicts especially.

For situations that require a repair like this, Bob's drawing involves removing the rivets that hold the cap strips to the spar web, for a minimum of 6 but preferably 8 rivets from the end of the cap strip to the splice point, then an additional 6-8 rivets inboard from the splice point. This means 16 rivets removed from the top and 16 from the bottom. Then the spar web is cut and the edge finished. Then a new piece of spar material is added, along with a doubler as shown in the drawing. If the damage is confined to outboard of the area with capstrips, then make the doubler taller (dimension X).

For other types of structural repairs such as more extensive spar damage, it is always best to consult with Bob.

[lgn98868]

Awesome. Thanks

[haribole]

This also solves the issue of sourcing 166" long cap strips for the rear spars. Just confirmed with Bob and he said I could splice the spar and put 6-8 rivets at the splice and it would be acceptable.