Pietenpol-List: aileron hinges

[matronics]

Original Posted By: lshutks(at)webtv.net (Leon Stefan)
Talking about using piano hinges for ailerons (and other control surfaces): For those who might raise the question about rolled vs. extruded piano hinges, the subject has come up on various other discussion groups and there seems to be no structural reason to require the use of the more expensive extruded hinges. While commonly-accepted "aviation practice" would seem to indicate extruded hinges are preferable since they can't possibly open and release the hinge pin, in fact the rolled hinges are mighty strong anyway. Go to http://home.hiwaay.net/~langford/misc.html and scroll down just past the article on submerged ailerons to see a little test that Mark Langford did to prove this to himself (if you see the yellow Lionheart, you've scrolled down too far).Once again, if Mr. Pietenpol successfully used hardware store strap hinges for the control surfaces on his airplane, I'd say we could safely use rolled (or extruded) piano hinges on ours and do just fine. As mentioned, some consideration has to be given to means of attachment so the attachment hardware isn't too close to the edge of the wood member, but this shouldn't be a big problem.Oscar ZunigaSan Antonio, TXmailto: taildrags(at)hotmail.comwebsite at http://www.flysquirrel.net________________________________________________________________________________

[matronics]

Original Posted By: "KMHeide, BA, CPO, FAAOP"
Thanks everyone for the responses on the piano hinge. I plan on using a single6 foot section in each aileron bay.Richard Schreiberlmforge(at)earthlink.netWhy Wait? Move to EarthLink.________________________________________________________________________________Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 23:55:21 -0800 (PST)