Fuselage strength?

[Mike Betti]

Hi,
I have my Elite on it's gear, but no engine or mount and a couple questions come up.
Is it stressful for it to sit on the tail with no engine mounted to counterbalance, especially if I was to crawl into the tail cone?
When it comes to mounting the wings, is it ok to block the tail up so the airplane is level, also block the rear of cabin to support the structure and to keep more rigid, then install them?
Thanks,
Mike Betti
771E



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[N.Smith]

Hi Mike

I'm probably over cautious now after my mishap, but I'd definitely support
it in the area roughly under the floor mounted pulleys for the elevator
cables to the next bulkhead back (I think D and E) if climbing down the
back.

Nigel
slightly bent 745E :-)

-----Original Message-----
From: mike.davis@dcsol.com [mailto:mike.davis@dcsol.com]On Behalf Of
Mike Betti
Sent: 03 December 2005 12:55
To: rebel-builders@dcsol.com
Subject: Fuselage strength?


Hi,
I have my Elite on it's gear, but no engine or mount and a couple questions
come up.
Is it stressful for it to sit on the tail with no engine mounted to
counterbalance, especially if I was to crawl into the tail cone?
When it comes to mounting the wings, is it ok to block the tail up so the
airplane is level, also block the rear of cabin to support the structure and
to keep more rigid, then install them?
Thanks,
Mike Betti
771E



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[Ken]

Hi Mike

The only issue that I can recall is crawling back into the fuselage
while the top section of the fuselage skin forward of the fin is not
installed. I crawled back there only when I had the fuselage suported on
a 2x4 under the bulkhead forward of the missing skin. In fact for
stability I put the fuselage on a piece of plywood that spanned two
bulkheads and than placed the 2x4 sideways pretty much under the rivet
line of the bulkhead. Block the mainwheels of course. Once I finished
with the controls, ELT, tailwheel, etc back there and installed that
piece of skin then it is was OK to crawl back there with the weight on
the tailwheel.

I also blocked the fuselage numerous times (with and without the engine)
on each side under the cage. In fact again I placed 2x4's (about 3'
long) running aft from the cage a couple of feet to the double bulkhead
of the Rebel and then jacked an inch or two behind the cage. With the
2x4's there I could jack it whether the tail was on the floor or up
high. I guess I'm emphasizing blocking at one or more of those 3 points
but I personally would not try to lift anywhere else such as the rear of
the cabin even though the float attach points are there.

Ken

Mike Betti wrote:

Hi,
I have my Elite on it's gear, but no engine or mount and a couple questions come up.
Is it stressful for it to sit on the tail with no engine mounted to counterbalance, especially if I was to crawl into the tail cone?
When it comes to mounting the wings, is it ok to block the tail up so the airplane is level, also block the rear of cabin to support the structure and to keep more rigid, then install them?
Thanks,
Mike Betti
771E



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