Recent Posts

1

LE / Re: front spar height

« Last post by Chuck in Indiana on Today at 01:41:41 PM »

Chuck, are you talking about 3/8" clearance at each end of the aileron, or between the aileron nose & wing, or both? I'm guessing both.

The ends for sure. The aileron cove isn't as prone to warpage in my experience.

2

LE / Re: front spar height

« Last post by Kamcoman77 on Today at 11:39:54 AM »

Chuck, are you talking about 3/8" clearance at each end of the aileron, or between the aileron nose & wing, or both? I'm guessing both.

3

LE / Re: front spar height

« Last post by Rick on Today at 09:35:57 AM »

Very good guys... So Rick, if you still need measurements, I can get it when I get home; but from the sound of it you probably have your answer... I can't wait to see your progress...

Pappy,

Yes, I am good for the present, but I suspect there will be more on this journey to the prize ;-)

Thank you!

4

LE / Re: front spar height

« Last post by Rick on Today at 09:29:13 AM »

Rick, another thing on aileron fit. Many people try to fit them up too closely, and in service over time they can bind. I suggest 3/8". This gives room for multiple layers of fabric and the inevitable warpage over time.

Great suggestion! Built in maintenance, I like the way you think . . . and one less question to ask moving forward.

Thank you Chuck

5

LE / Re: front spar height

« Last post by pappyadkins on Today at 08:39:33 AM »

Very good guys... So Rick, if you still need measurements, I can get it when I get home; but from the sound of it you probably have your answer... I can't wait to see your progress...

6

LE / Re: front spar height

« Last post by Chuck in Indiana on Today at 05:08:20 AM »

Rick, another thing on aileron fit. Many people try to fit them up too closely, and in service over time they can bind. I suggest 3/8". This gives room for multiple layers of fabric and the inevitable warpage over time.

7

LE / Re: front spar height

« Last post by Rick on Today at 04:24:56 AM »

Thank you very much for the correction, my communication was poor, but with yours and others comments, I am trainable. Being new to this and in the midst of problem solving I sometimes forget these pages will be read in the future. Below is what should have be stated.

Looking for any impact down the line on adjustments to the wing, noticed that for the LEU plans page #34 AILERON SPAR, a dimension for an aileron spar length of 73.5 inches "CHECK TO FIT YOUR WINGS" which is located between LEU ribs #6 and Rib #11. Yes, that IS much better.

Thank you for the encouragement and correction, and thank you for that annotated picture – terrific work.

8

LE / Re: front spar height

« Last post by Kamcoman77 on October 16, 2025, 08:14:00 PM »

IMHO there is no way an aileron length dimension should be shown on the plans. The correct aileron length on the LEU or XL is the distance between the wing ribs with the aileron hinge blocks minus the clearance you desire between the aileron end ribs and the adjacent wing ribs. On an XL that would be the distance between rib #7 and rib #12, minus clearances for fabric & aileron control horn. On an LEU that should be between ribs #6 and Rib #11. This is counting ribs individually, not counting the two inboard & two outboard ribs as single ribs.

9

LE / Re: front spar height

« Last post by Rick on October 16, 2025, 04:00:43 PM »

Yes Rick, I think the bottom example is the way Leonard drew it (except the strut would shift to the left, but I knew what you meant)... Either way would probably work (the OCD in my brain likes the top one) BUT that wasn't you original question... If your really concerned, you could always call Leonard... (It'd be a good excuses to talk to the man, lol)  Hope that helps...

Pappy,

I was lucky to have talked to Leonard back in August regarding tail sections. He was very helpful, he also let me know he had just started another plane built . . . forget the name, but not his design. Just incredible at 101 years, so I don't want to interrupt his progress!

I just found another reason while laying out on the table to go with the top layout posted. I don't know about the XL, but on the plans for LEU Leonard calls for an aileron length of 73.25". The top layout if my math is correct is just under 75", bottom layout is 2" longer at just under 77".

If you don't mind me asking, how long are the XL's ailerons?

Thank you for being so helpful.

10

LE / Re: front spar height

« Last post by Rick on October 16, 2025, 01:31:32 PM »

Thank you Chuck for reviewing very closely, the tell was your catch of my mistake with location to strut brace from the root where is should go the first hole on fitting.

I used to read a lot of blueprint not create them . . . but no excuse.

I do think I'm going with the top one.

Greatly appreciated.