ETLB Squawk Forums — Archive

Yea or nay for drain holes lower surface of wing at the trailing edge?
Unless I get unlucky I hope the wing never gets rained on,.... but I guess it could get caught in a pop up shower.
Condensation in wing is possible but that area is pretty open so any moisture should evaporate pretty quick.
I have put drain holes in the ailerons and empenage, that's a no brainer
Whadya think?

Nay! Flying in t-storms isn't advised for new pilots! Work your way into the thunderstorm, get a feel for it and then master it.

Drain holes are insurance. No one plans on getting their airplane drowned, but if it happens you will be glad that the drain holes are there.

I put drain holes in there. I used a hot soldering iron: you don't need those reinforcing plastic rings. The hot iron melts the edges - mine are fine after 18 months.

I did exactly what Bruce did. Most likely I copied him. No problem after 9 hours so far. I say yes
B-😃

Yup I have drain holes . It is a very small chore and cheap insurance.I put a piece of piano wire in a piece wood and drilled the size hole that I wanted in the bottom of a tea spoon; heated the wire and put the spoon where I wanted the hole and ran the hot wire around the hole.

and of coarse another source of water is washing the plane....just like we wash our cars....drains are a MUST have

regards Arthur

Yeah, I guess its A good idea. If I get water in there I'd be kicking myself for not doing it.
Am familiar with the soldering iron trick. Anybody want to buy some fancy plastic drain holes?
The empenage is covered, with drain holes as needed. Problem is they are only partially effective, and partially effective means some water will still pool and cause rot or rust. What I mean is on the vert fin of the Airbike there is a diagonal tube in the way of putting the hole at the lowest point, and on the ailerons that plywood gusset gets in the way of putting it at the lowest point right where the rib/trailing edge join.  I put the hole up tight to the trailing edge and the gusset. Clear as mud?
How did you guys do it. If I ever build another perhaps drill a hole through the gusset?
Any way...I now have a white wing.

Opps, picture too big. Use your imagination.

Thats better

I have use a nail heated by a torch to melt a small hole (just push it through).  Works great, especially in a tight spot.

Flydog.  Great looking wing and finish.  What is your top coat?

LSaupe.  Polyfiber Poly Tone. Sprayed.

I was joking in my previous post moisture is always moving through our airplanes , I thought the point of coating the wood with a wood sealer was to slow down that process. If you have moisture to the point your wings need to be allowed to drained you have serious problems imo