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Thread: Flapperon Counter Weights

  1. #1
    N14ND's Avatar
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    Default Flapperon Counter Weights

    Just want to confirm that the counter weights are NOT epoxied to the flapperons along with being riveted. Everything else on this bird is glued and riveted in place. Didn’t know if more current models are epoxied as well.
    “I wish I knew now as much as I thought I knew when I was 18”

    Building Kitfox 5 (25 yrs and counting)
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    A&P, ATP

  2. #2
    Senior Member JoeRuscito's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flapperon Counter Weights

    If I recall correctly my counter weights on the flaperons were hysoled and riveted. I could be miss remembering though.


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  3. #3
    Senior Member Dave S's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flapperon Counter Weights

    On our S7, near relative to the S5, the mass balance weights are hysoled and riveted in place.

    In my opinion, that is the best way to go for both structural reasons and corrosion control reasons - a lap area between steel and aluminum which can hold moisture and dirt is a prime corrosion bed.
    Dave S
    Kitfox 7 Trigear (Flying since 2009)
    912ULS Warp Drive

    St Paul, MN

  4. #4
    Senior Member PapuaPilot's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flapperon Counter Weights

    I got my plane second hand and removed the counterweights because the first builder hadn't painted the flaperon skins underneath the counterweights. That is really asking for trouble with corrosion. After painting both parts I put them back on with rivets and Hysol.

    FYI I used solid aircraft rivets on the trailing edge of the flaperons, including the counterweights. This is super easy to do if you have a rivet squeezer.
    Phil Nelson
    A&P-IA, Maintenance Instructor
    KF 5 Outback, Cont. IO-240
    Flying since 2016

  5. #5
    N14ND's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flapperon Counter Weights

    Thanks. I was going to Hysol or Proseall them inplace anyway just to eliminate/seal the gap between skin and weight as previously suggested. I was going sweeze solid rivets on trailing edge as well.
    “I wish I knew now as much as I thought I knew when I was 18”

    Building Kitfox 5 (25 yrs and counting)
    0-200
    A&P, ATP

  6. #6
    Senior Member jrevens's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flapperon Counter Weights

    Hysol & rivets. I used solid aluminum rivets at the trailing edge, like Phil did.
    John Evens
    Arvada, CO
    Kitfox SS7 N27JE
    EAA Lifetime
    Chap. 43 honorary Lifetime

  7. #7
    Senior Member Cherrybark's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flapperon Counter Weights

    Definitely Hysol. Here's the excerpt from the online manual. The complete manual set online. How cool is that?
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Carl Strange
    Flying
    SS7, 912iS, Oratex, G3X

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