3D Romeo

My Feedback: (111)

Hi,

I was wondering if the new 80" GS Edge 540 design gets any of it's strength from the covering material used on it, or is the airframe built strong enough to use any type of covering material?

The reason I ask this is because I have allot of 21st Century Microlite Covering in stock and I would love to be able to use this if possible. It not only would save me allot of money, because I wouldn't have to buy any more covering, but it would save me ALLOT of weight too.

Do you feel that these lighter covering materials could be used on this plane, or does the airframe rely on a 'standard' covering material for it's strength?

Thank You,

Mark

3dd

My Feedback: (6)

you get no real strength from the covering at all,just punchures and less often with the heavyer materials

AFSalmon

My Feedback: (3)

The answer is no. The only a/c that really rely on strength for covering are the really light electrics or indoor models. I will tell you though that covering does add significant stiffness to any open structure regardless of size.

3D Romeo

My Feedback: (111)

3dd,

Have you used lighter covering materials on a plane of this size before with acceptable results? I could live with an occasional puncture...but I wouldn't want to sacrifice any of the flight qualities, due to surfaces flexing and twisting, if the light covering material doesn't give the wings the stiffness they need.

...If the open structure is the only thing that would gain from using 'standard' covering materials...I wonder if it would be acceptable to cover the wings with 'standard' Ultracote and then cover the rest of the plane with lighter materials?

Thanks for the advice,

Mark

3dd

My Feedback: (6)

i only use regular ultracote myself but on sheeted sufaces you could use lighter materials and then cover the open frame with regular and i see no problem with this

AFSalmon

My Feedback: (3)

I think that would be a good compromise. You could even use some of the transparent light coverings over the wood to show the grain underneath. Would be a cool feature.