Panther Sport Aircraft Forums

I had an issue on an aileron with the hinge line not being perfectly straight after doing the 1/16" spacing along the skin. To prevent this from happening on the flaps, I've riveted a scrap hinge to a ruler. When the hinge is flat, the line is straight and I can check it along the way.

You can use that technique for both sides of the hinge. Makes things a lot easier.

Paul

I did see that link. It's a great idea, and that's how I'll drill that half of the hinge. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was going to use the yardstick drill guide to pre-drill the other half of the hinge.

Glen

Have you guys seen this yet?
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=174&p=844&hilit=dri ... inges#p844

When I built my elevators I used an aluminum yardstick to create the rivet holes in my hinge. When it was time to drill the other side of the hinge that attaches to the HS I used the skins themselves. Don't updrill the skins until you have the hinges placed correctly on the HS. You will end up with a more true hole that way. With the hinge properly located under the flange and against the spar stiffener I drilled three or four holes along the hinge to maintain the correct relationship between the hinge and the HS stiffener. For the remaining holes I placed the hinge between the skin and the spar flange. That way the flange will support the hinge during the drilling operation. Remove, deburr and then relocate the hinge below the flange in preparation for riveting.
Also, if you try to pre-drill the rivet line (for the HS side) using the yardstick method prior to assembling the hinge to the HS there is a good chance you will run into interference between the hinge and the HS rear spar stiffener during assembly.