Inspection Hole in leading edge

[Roger and Alice Hoffman]

Are any of you (building the Rebel) putting an inspection hole in the root
area of the leading edge skin, to access the bolts/nuts of the front
spar/root rib attach fittings?

I asked MAM about it and was told "The bolts you are concerned about do not
require access once they're in there in....Cutting a hole in the leading
edge to access them unnecessarily is a step backward in your construction."

I'm not comfortable 'not' being able to inspect these during the annual
inspection. I was considering a small inspection hole access plate similiar
to those in the bottom skin at the flaperon hinges.

I was just wondering what other builders were doing in this area and I would
appreciate any comments.

Roger #687R
Eugene, OR USA




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[klehman]

Hi Roger

I asked Bijan (tech support) the same question a few years ago and he
advised me not to do this. Apparently this area is fairly critical and a
thorough stress analysis etc. would be required. Reading between the
lines, I concluded this would entail some serious reinforcement etc. and
then who knows what surprises might be caused by the mods.

I contented myself with some torque seal lacquer (paint) on the
nuts/bolts that can be seen from the wing root end of the wing. And of
course, torquing the bolts to the upper end of the recommended range.

Ken

Roger and Alice Hoffman wrote:

Are any of you (building the Rebel) putting an inspection hole in the root
area of the leading edge skin, to access the bolts/nuts of the front
spar/root rib attach fittings?

I asked MAM about it and was told "The bolts you are concerned about do not
require access once they're in there in....Cutting a hole in the leading
edge to access them unnecessarily is a step backward in your construction."

I'm not comfortable 'not' being able to inspect these during the annual
inspection. I was considering a small inspection hole access plate similiar
to those in the bottom skin at the flaperon hinges.

I was just wondering what other builders were doing in this area and I would
appreciate any comments.

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[Bob Patterson]

Hi Roger !

I agree fully with Ken !! The leading edge, ESPECIALLY at
the root, is a VERY critical area. I definitely would not cut ANY
extra holes there !! The whole wing root area, out to at least
3 ribs, is VERY important to overall strength, and no changes should
be made there without checking with the factory....

......bobp

---------------------------orig.---------------------------------------
At 08:42 AM 5/9/01 -0700, you wrote:

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Hi Roger

I asked Bijan (tech support) the same question a few years ago and he
advised me not to do this. Apparently this area is fairly critical and a
thorough stress analysis etc. would be required. Reading between the
lines, I concluded this would entail some serious reinforcement etc. and
then who knows what surprises might be caused by the mods.

I contented myself with some torque seal lacquer (paint) on the
nuts/bolts that can be seen from the wing root end of the wing. And of
course, torquing the bolts to the upper end of the recommended range.

Ken

Roger and Alice Hoffman wrote:

Are any of you (building the Rebel) putting an inspection hole in the root
area of the leading edge skin, to access the bolts/nuts of the front
spar/root rib attach fittings?

I asked MAM about it and was told "The bolts you are concerned about do not
require access once they're in there in....Cutting a hole in the leading
edge to access them unnecessarily is a step backward in your construction."

I'm not comfortable 'not' being able to inspect these during the annual
inspection. I was considering a small inspection hole access plate similiar
to those in the bottom skin at the flaperon hinges.

I was just wondering what other builders were doing in this area and I would
appreciate any comments.

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