bolts attaching horizontal stab. to vertical stab.

Building and Flying Related Boards › miniMax, Hi-Max, and AirBike General Discussions

5 posts

kfbFebruary 10, 2018, 3:57pm

Hi
I think all the Maxes are the same, there are two bolts going up through the bottom of the horizontal stabilizer and into the vertical stabilizer to secure those two pieces together, there are nut plates in the vertical stab.. My question is: what do you do to the heads of the bolts under the horizontal stabilizer to avoid those heads from sitting right on the fuselage fabric and perhaps eventually wearing a hole in it? Perhaps some people did not put fabric in that location on the fuselage? I did put fabric there, so I guess one thing I could do is to cut two small holes in the fabric and then applying reinforcing patches. Comments appreciated as always
Kim Brown
New Hampshire

aeronutFebruary 10, 2018, 4:27pm

Yes I was concerned about the same issue but the bolt heads have not worn thru the fabric yet. My Max is 18 years old but has not a lot of hours so I am not sure how long it would take to happen. You could put a reinforcing fabric patch where the bolt heads contact the fuselage fabric. If you cut holes then you should put a reinforcing patch around the holes. Are you doing the poly fiber process?

never surrender; never give-up

LarryFebruary 10, 2018, 5:45pm

30 year old miniMAX and no issues with the bolts wearing through the fabric

a mile of road will take you a mile, a mile of runway can take you anywhere.

bob.hoodFebruary 10, 2018, 7:43pm

Keith,

I think he means the top of the head of the bolt rubbing against the fabric on the fuselage underneath it, not on the fabric of the horizontal stabiliser. I did wonder as well when I first got mine, as it seemed a prime spot for wearing through, but I had to take the tail off last year and found no indication of any wear at all. So I guess it's a case of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Keith103August 9, 2018, 3:42am

I have just reached the stage where kfb had a question as above. I was wondering whether I am doing something wrong, but my Max has no fabric at this location just below the horizontal stabilizer, so the head of the bolt that goes up into the vertical stabilizer has no fabric on the fuselage to rub into. I am not able to recall where exactly I read this, but the top flat surface on top of the last 2 stations in the fuselage ( right under the horizontal stabilizer ) is not to be covered, so you can easily access the cables and other hardware inside the tail section.