Original Posted By: "George Allen"
Fisherman,Please don't use hardware store wire, turnbuckles, etc. on yourairplane. This stuff isn't aircraft quality and, since you are build-ing an aircraft and intend to fly it, aircraft hardware must be usedfor safety..I know how costly aircraft quality materials and hardware are and,like you, nearly have a panic attack when I go to buy this stuff. Butthen I do some thinking and always come to the conclusion that itis still pretty cheap insurance, and buy it (whimpering all the wayhome).I have been messing around with little airplanes, including a 8-yearstint on helicopters, since 1948, which puts me in the "geezer ca-tegory".(Likely I wouldn't posting this message had I not been rely-ing on aircraft quality items for all those years and hours in the air.)In 1970 I first flew the Pietenpol I built, and am still flying it. The onlyhardware store items on it are hinges for the ailerons as per theplans, but the hinge pins are AN aircraft parts. All bolts, nuts, washers,turnbuckles, etc. are aircraft quality because my Pietenpol can getme in the air, along with all the certificated airplanes which must useaircraft quality items, and it is too great a distance for any of us tofall!Sure it's expensive, but one of the great advantages of building anairplane from plans is that one doesn't have spend all that money atonce. Spending-shock syndrome is not nearly so severe as it wouldbe when buying a kit or a complete flying airplane. The major singleexpenditure is for an engine when "scratch building". Naturally I pre-fer an aircraft engine because it is designed for aircraft use and itsperformance in an aircraft is predictableSo grit your teeth and use the 3/32" stainless steel cable with aircraftquality turnbuckles, clevis pins and split pins for your tail bracing. Thestrength of the entire tail assembly depends on this bracing; without it,the tailfeathers are quite weak. You bet your life on this bracing and alot of other stuff in your aircraft every time you leave the ground.You seem to be an experienced sailor, so would appreciate this sayingfrom the very early days of aviation:"If the sea is unforgiving, then the air is even more so."The very best of luck with your project!Graham Hansen (Pietenpol CF-AUN)________________________________________________________________________________