Which skin will you use on your LSA wings? .020 or .016? Why?

[Cherokeedriver]

Referring to Page 2 of the LSA plans, I note that we have the option of using either .020 or .016 for the wing skin from R5 to the tip. While I'm a long way from that decision, I'm curious to know what other LSA builders are doing or have done, and why. Does anyone happen to know Bob Barrows's thoughts on the matter? What in the weight penalty for going wit the .020 and what do you get for it? Joe O'Keefe Madera Ranchos, CA

[jaredyates]

Bob will be able to tell you the weight savings and reasoning, but to paraphrase what I've heard him say, he felt like it was too difficult to get the airfoil shape smooth enough with the thinner material. He speculated that production-experienced sheet metal guys like the ones in Mexico could probably make it work, but he wasn't entirely satisfied with his own wings, and he's a very experienced builder.

[bestbearhawk1231]

I remember reading somewhere that there was a 15 pound difference or so, I really don't remember the exact number. I think that discussion happened on the old form so you may be able to find it there. He didn't like the way his wings turned out and made the change after his was complete. Even if you complete the wings and have them turn out decent with the .016, you run the risk of dinging them every time you get close to them or anytime someone gets close to the bird at a fly in. The .020 we use on the flap/aileron nose on the 4 place is easy to ding/dent compared to the .025 used for most every thing else... I can't imagine what the .016 is like. If I were building the LSA, I would eat the weight difference and go with the .020, but that is just my opinion. You can make up the weight difference in the paint job, interior, avionics...you get the point.

[LSA-14]

I will probably go with .020. The .016 will be more difficult to work with and will dent very easily.

[geraldmorrissey]

A 4' x 8' .016 2024 T3 sheet weighs 7.44 lbs. A 4' x 8' .020 2024 T3 sheet weighs 9.28. So a difference of 1.84 lbs/sheet. This from the Airparts catalog.
Cheers
Gerry
Patrol #30 Wings