Sunday, November 5, 2017

Wings, Main Spar (Part 4)

The Wing Box J-Channels are installed here on the Lower Flange of the Right Main Spar.  As with the Left Spar, we marked off the holes that do not get match-drilled (at this time) with orange tape.  We used a square again to make sure we had the 1/16” rise between the Main Spar Flange and the top of the J-Channel.  It worked just as good on the Right Spar.  (Note:  Part 2 provides further details and pictures regarding how we used the square in this step)

As the plans instruct, we installed clecos in each hole as we completed the match-drilling down the length of the Spar.  This is the completed Lower Flange, minus the holes covered by the orange tape.  Once we complete the J-Channels on the Upper Spar Flange, we will “roll” the Lower J-Channel to the Upper Flange.....just like on the Left Spar.  (Note:  Part 2 provides further details and pictures regarding this step)



There is a lot of holes in these Spars.  In the picture below, you can see the competed Upper/Lower Spar Flanges and J-Channel with all the clecos installed.  The last step is to remove the Upper J-Channels, roll the Lower J-Channels (to the Upper Flange), and match-drill the remaining holes that were covered with the orange tape.  Confusing I know, but it’s pretty straight forward when you actually do it. 

Tomorrow, we will final-drill the several remaining holes (that weren’t match-drilled) in the Upper/Lower Flanges and all the nutplate attach holes.  After that, the nutplate attach holes get countersunk.