Q2 Wing Replacement

[sloroger]

I may soon be purchasing a Q2 that has fuel damage into the foam core in the main wing from a fuel leak. I wonder how difficult it will be to remove and replace that wing, or whether I may be in over my head with such a project? My plan would be to purchase an already built wing and install it myself. Any thoughts or warnings?

 

Thanks!

[Spodman]

I think I saw such an aircraft on Ebay a while ago. The main wing is above and well behind the fuel tanks and it seems unlikely it could get damaged. The canard is right under the header tank and more likely to get damaged. Fuel won't really hurt the fibreglass but would dissolve the foam within. If it is a GU canard there are many that have been cut off and discarded anyhow, in favour of the LS1, both stronger and without the pitch change in moisture. Much information in the Q-list:

 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Q-LIST/

 

Including a few rebuilds from crashes and conversions. You can't buy a new canard, you have to make it. You can buy the carbon spars, from here in Oz.

[argoldman]

I may soon be purchasing a Q2 that has fuel damage into the foam core in the main wing from a fuel leak. I wonder how difficult it will be to remove and replace that wing, or whether I may be in over my head with such a project? My plan would be to purchase an already built wing and install it myself. Any thoughts or warnings?

 

Thanks!

No repair to a glass aircraft is specifically terribly difficult, assuming you know how it was originally built and good glass repair techniques. Glass, fiber orientation and margin coverage are all vital.

 

One difference between the Q birds and the dragonfly wings is that the Q wings are permanently glassed into the airframe. The dragonfly wings are attached much the way of our canards in cozy land, ie tabs and bolts.

 

What would be involved is cutting the old wing off and grafting a new one on in its place. Recommended tools would be a Fein Multimaster and a Rotozip (dremmel on steroids.) Get a set of plans so that you know the fiber layup schedule and fiber type and direction.

[sloroger]

Thanks Rich,

as it turns out, I probably won't be tackling this canardly project after all. That plane is now re-listed on ebay, but I suspect the fuel leakage problem is due to some poor workmanship that might be a lead indicator of other issues with the workmanship. I'm no expert, and I could be wrong, but I'm now choosing to avoid that bird.

[killerb1971]

I myself have come across a q 200 with the same issue. I have yet to take a look at the plane. Hopefully I will this weekend. It was a previously flying aircraft built in the mid 80's. I am not sure of the whole story behind it, but I will get all of the particulars this week. I also have the luxury of having an A&P with composite building experience in my EAA chapter whom I will try to get to go with me to get his professional opinion. If it all checks out, I will tackle that project before starting back on my Cozy. That will get my wife and I in the air faster and cheaper for the time being. The "spam cans" at the airport are getting expensive and scheduling around the flight school and weather is a pain. We'll see how it pans out.