---------------------------------------------------------- RV4-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Mon 08/15/05: 3 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 12:00 AM - 020 empenage skins (Steve Sampson) 2. 05:53 PM - Re: 020 empenage skins (rob ray) 3. 07:15 PM - Re: 020 empenage skins (arvil@bellsouth.net) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 12:00:04 AM PST US From: "Steve Sampson" Subject: RV4-List: 020 empenage skins --> RV4-List message posted by: "Steve Sampson" Is there any concensus as to the need for 020 skins on the empenage? I understand it is an option, but its also weight at the back. Does RTV on the ribs solve the problem with 016/ Thanks, Steve. ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 05:53:40 PM PST US From: rob ray Subject: Re: RV4-List: 020 empenage skins --> RV4-List message posted by: rob ray Steve, There is a reason the RV8 and beyond use .020, it's stronger. My 1500 hour RV4 has cracks in the rudder, one place I wish I had .020. The weight penalty isn't that much and using RTV is not recommended as temperature changes can affect it's elasticity. The .020 skins from Van's are reasonably priced and pre-bent, just tell them what you want. Wish list: If I had it to do over I would have .020 tail feathers and .040 forward fuselage skins all the way back to the 1st aft bulkhead (HRII), RV6 wing tanks or the Hotel Whiskey tanks, hopped up 160HP by LyCon and Aerocomposites C/S prop, shear wingtips, pre-preg cowling...etc. OK, mine still isn't bad like it is, stock and light, 175HP 0-320, wood/composite FP prop and 950# lbs empty. Hindsight is always 20/20... Rob Ray Steve Sampson wrote: --> RV4-List message posted by: "Steve Sampson" Is there any concensus as to the need for 020 skins on the empenage? I understand it is an option, but its also weight at the back. Does RTV on the ribs solve the problem with 016/ Thanks, Steve. --------------------------------- ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 07:15:08 PM PST US From: arvil@bellsouth.net Subject: Re: RV4-List: 020 empenage skins --> RV4-List message posted by: arvil@bellsouth.net Steve, One of the biggest problems on the tail is is the flexing of the elevators diagonal stiffners can help some but as Rob, said the best fix is .020 elevator and rudder skins , if using .016 skin watch for cracks 6 inches in from the evelator counter weight along the trailing edge , to help reduce the cracking of the rudder or the elevators make a good radius at the trailing edge of the stiffners and make sure they are filed smooth this will keep down the sharp edges that can lead to early cracking Another problem that leads to early cracking of the tail surfaces is to lowe of an idle below 500 rpm and it can set up a viberation in the tail, again the fix is the .020 skin, Arvil rob ray wrote: > --> RV4-List message posted by: rob ray > > Steve, > There is a reason the RV8 and beyond use .020, it's stronger. My 1500 hour RV4 has cracks in the rudder, one place I wish I had .020. The weight penalty isn't that much and using RTV is not recommended as temperature changes can affect it's elasticity. The .020 skins from Van's are reasonably priced and pre-bent, just tell them what you want. > Wish list: If I had it to do over I would have .020 tail feathers and .040 forward fuselage skins all the way back to the 1st aft bulkhead (HRII), RV6 wing tanks or the Hotel Whiskey tanks, hopped up 160HP by LyCon and Aerocomposites C/S prop, shear wingtips, pre-preg cowling...etc. > OK, mine still isn't bad like it is, stock and light, 175HP 0-320, wood/composite FP prop and 950# lbs empty. Hindsight is always 20/20... > > Rob Ray > > Steve Sampson wrote: > --> RV4-List message posted by: "Steve Sampson" > > Is there any concensus as to the need for 020 skins on the empenage? I understand it is an option, but its also weight at the back. Does RTV on the ribs solve the problem with 016/ > > Thanks, Steve. > > > --------------------------------- >