Wing Faring

This blog covers the fitting of the wing fairing.

Overview
After the disaster fitting the elevator faring the builder was determined not to repeat that event.

Installation
The first task was to mark out on the fuselage/wings all those locations were a hole cannot be drilled. Once done the factory fairing was fitted and the location of the first holes determined.

Tape to mark areas not to be used for a fixing

At this point, a Cleco was fitted and the next position determined, this process was repeated along the top side. Once completed, the lower flange was secured ensuring the fairing laid as naturally as possible on the wing. The final task was the nose and the underside of the rear faring from the flap back.


Note: Two additional screws could be added by reusing fixings on the main longerons fitted to the fuselage side. An M3 flush rivet nut was installed into a strip of 18 x 100 x 0.025" of 2024-T3 aluminium, then removing the rivets either side of the mounting hole to secure the aluminium strip with two [2] new pop rivets. The M3 screw is then inserted through the remaining hole to pick up the rivet nut.

At the rear, two [2] of the rivets for the last flap were secured the lower flange of the faring. To locate the hole a piece of cardboard of fixed to the top side of the skin and the hole located using a round jewellers file, finally, the outside edge was secured in position using a piece of gaffer tape for the next operation.

With the fairing reinstalled and secured with Clecos, the cardboard template is fitted to the top side of the faring using the gaffer tape as a hinge, next the holes locations are transferred to the faring top side and drilled.

The faring detached and the two rivet holes drilled to accept an M3 rivet nut. Finally, the fairing was secured using M3 x 12 S/S  Hex Socket Flanged Button Head Screws. A flanged head screw allows a reasonable clearance hole to installed in the faring.


Comment
Faring fitted as supplied and this was a surprise considering its size but maybe even this builder has learnt from some of his previous grievous errors.

Factory Tucano