Hatz Biplane Association

Hi folks,

Attached is a grainy picture of Ron Sieck's Hatz Classic aileron. You can see that the ends of the corrugations are closed. Ron told me he did this with a V notching cutter and something about a bolt. Even after Ron's explanation, I still can't quite visualize how it's done. Can someone please explain the process -- hopefully in pictures.

-Scott

Scott,

I had spoken with this gentleman who rebiulds all types of aluminum control surfaces about building our ailerons before I decided to go with wood/fabric. He is very knowledgable and may be able to help with your question. The following is his contact info: R J Dauhn - R.J. DAUHN AIRCRAFT, LLC, Owner - located Fruitland Park, FL USA • Telephone: 352-348-7070


I went onto Han and Sam's website again too and see a few pictures of them closing the ends. I clicked on their aileron section and thumbed through and found the pictures I'm speaking of near the end. I hope this may help.

Thanks for the info Ron. Ron Sieck wrote me yesterday and said he'll be sending a drawing to show how to close the ends. He also said the V notcher used is the N1 Hand Notcher from Aircraft Tool Supply Company. I'll post photos of how it's done when I get to this step.

-Scott

With guidance from Ron Sieck, I completed my first aileron. I thought I'd share with you how to close the corrugation ends. Attached below are pictures that will give you a pictorial how-to.

The only tools needed are the V notcher ($42), a hardware store 1/2" bolt to make a tool to close the notch and a small hammer.

Finished aileron...

Beautiful!

My old Luscombe had a collection of chunks of hair and skin removed from my and passenger's scalps, thanks to those open ended corrugated aileron skins. I learned to duck when walking under the wing.

Lookin' great, Scott! Love the pics on your website.

I have ailerons on the lower wing only and having walked into the trailing edge of a Skyhawk aileron, i know what kind of pain those raw edges can dispatch. So having these slice-n-dice ailerons on my project, I purchased two pieces of Cessna flap trailing edge which is bulbed and tapered. I sandwiched the Cessna part between the two skins and riveted. That took care of the sharp edge and added stiffness. Being low, I think the trailing edge treatment will make the ailerons more durable and safer for people who accidentally scuff up against.