High-wing foam trainer - how to add struts?

I'm building a high-wing "stick"-type trainer of my own design. The

42" wing is of EPP foam, which seems indestructible, but also a bit more flexible than I'd like.

I've come up with a few designs for strut supports attached to the fuselage, but I realize other folks have probably already solved this problem much better than I could. I'm open to usign wire or light ply for the structs. My main concerns are that they be (1) easy to fabricate, and (2) easy to repair. any suggestions or pointers to online photos or plans would be greatly appreciated.

Len

Reply to
Len Testa
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It would be easier to put some carbon rods inside the wing for strength. Struts won't help much as EPP foam is very flexible, you would not have much control of the flex outside the strut area. Plus the struts would be prone to damage.

Don

Reply to
Don Hatten

Carbon fiber spars. Also, fiber strapping tape for strength across the stress areas. Wrap the rest in tape or Ultracote. All my EPP kits Ive purchased were designed to be constructed in this manner such as my Zagis, Bowman Scooters, etc. Standard construction for any EPP plane.

Reply to
Fubar of The HillPeople

On 8/17/2003 9:00 PM Ted shuffled out of his cave and grunted these great (and sometimes not so great) words of knowledge:

Carbon fiber and/or strapping tape is the way to go. IF you must have struts, I do the following when making struts: Use aluminum streamlined tubing (looks something like a "teardrop" shape). Cut the main strut to length, Cut some 3/32" wire about 2" - 3" long. JB Weld an electrical ring (I forget the size for a 6-32 bolt) to one end of the wire and then JBweld the wire into the streamline tube. Temporarily install when dry and align the other strut and mark for the proper angle. Cut and JB Weld to the main strut. Repeat for the wire/ring. When dry, file/sand/fill the JB Weld for the joining of the struts, prime and paint. The struts are VERY strong, as light (and in some cases lighter) than balsa and do not flex.

Use the regular JB Weld. The quick stuff only has 1/4 the strength of the regular.

Reply to
Ted Campanelli

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