[GravyGoodness]

I hope this is not a blatantly ignorant question...

I have used several methods for sealing hinge gaps including Park Flyer hinge tape and clear covering.

I have to seal the gaps on my 100cc MX2, and I HATE cutting straight strips of ultracoate to iron all crappy looking inside the hinges...

Is there a better way than this? Didn't know what my options were asides from ugly hinge tape.

[lxcoupe]

blen derm

and covering....that's all I know about

[Ground Pounder]

Try the 3M Multitasking tape. I usually find it at Staples in a 2 pack. A number of us have been using it in our 35 & 40% planes for a number of years.

Easy to install once you know how. Measure the length between the 2 hinges. Cut the clear tape a bit shorter. Have the wing/stab belly up and max flex the aileron/elevator toward the top surface (I usually have a 2 sandbag weights on the wing or stab to hold it in place). I flex the tape into a mild U shape, make contact with the trailing edge of the wing, then use a 6" metal ruler (short side) to push the tape down to the centerling area. With full deflection this is relatively easy.

You'll botch it a few times but it's easy to pull the tape off and start fresh. Never comes off unless you want to pull it off and the tape maintains it flexability forever.

[GravyGoodness]

Originally Posted by Ground Pounder

Try the 3M Multitasking tape. I usually find it at Staples in a 2 pack. A number of us have been using it in our 35 & 40% planes for a number of years.

Easy to install once you know how. Measure the length between the 2 hinges. Cut the clear tape a bit shorter. Have the wing/stab belly up and max flex the aileron/elevator toward the top surface (I usually have a 2 sandbag weights on the wing or stab to hold it in place). I flex the tape into a mild U shape, make contact with the trailing edge of the wing, then use a 6" metal ruler (short side) to push the tape down to the centerling area. With full deflection this is relatively easy.

You'll botch it a few times but it's easy to pull the tape off and start fresh. Never comes off unless you want to pull it off and the tape maintains it flexability forever.

Where can I get this tape? Do you have a link for it online so I can see?

[Funboy]

I'm probably going to get shot for this- BUT

Hinge sealing is over-rated. IMHO and all that crap. Just another something to worry about. I've never sealed a gap, and have never had a problem... Now I've ripped a few ailerons off other peoples planes doing snaps and blenders, but that's it. Not from flutter either- just loosey goosey hinges.....

[PropsnWings]

Gap sealing ......... I've done it on some and not on others....... cant say as I ever truly noticed the benefit. I would say it depends on the gap, and the type of airfoil.

[GravyGoodness]

Good information. I haven't really seen a serious need on this plane, but it was pointed out at the club this weekend by a fellow flyer. I like the idea of a continuation of the surface area without a gap there, but...

And that does not surprise me Cody, you fly composites!!

[Mithrandir]

Originally Posted by Funboy

I'm probably going to get shot for this- BUT

Hinge sealing is over-rated. IMHO and all that crap. Just another something to worry about. I've never sealed a gap, and have never had a problem... Now I've ripped a few ailerons off other peoples planes doing snaps and blenders, but that's it. Not from flutter either- just loosey goosey hinges.....

+1

I have flown a plane, then sealed the gaps and couldn't tell any difference...

typically, the hinge gaps on my planes vary from zero to .050"

can't tell the difference and they are irrelavent to flutter....

[Classclown]

Sealing the gaps is important only if you were careless when gluing in the hinges. As long as the gap is tight, sealing is unnecessary, but it can't hurt.i have two Aeroworks Extra260's, one of them, is sealed, the other is not, maybe one day, if I ever have nothing to work on.... That's what I love about composite planes, no need to even wonder about it.

[JoeAirport]

Did you guys know that sealing gaps prevents from losing 0.01% of your wing area? Come on what's going on here? It helps my hoovering too.