Wings passed 4G test! September 19, 2011

It has been a long time since I have posted an update on our project. In a nutshell, we assembled both wings, and have finished making all the bulkheads and the panels for the center console. Our next phase is to begin making the main fuselage. But first we needed to load-test both wings!!!

The tests were performed with the wings upside down and and 1620 pounds of concrete bags were laid down along the length of the wing.

First we built two support frames, one to hold down the center spar on one end and the other to support the opposite end.  Next a wing was bolted to the end of the center main spar and the wing tip was supported by a jack on the other. We placed 27 bags of concrete, weighing 60 pounds each on a wing. After that we slowly lowered the jack until the wing tip was no longer supported. Both wings deflected down nearly 6 inches, but did not crack or break. They both passed the 4 G test!

Here are a couple of pictures from the test.


The two cars are holding down the far end of the center main spar.
This shows the right (starboard) wing, up-side-down with 11 bags
of concrete. 16 more bags to go!


The same wing now with all 27 bags of concrete. Chuck is measuring how far
the wing has deflected.


Here are some of our test observers (Gordon, Bob, Ed and Bruce). I am standing
in front and Chuck is on my left. Not shown is Walter and Renee (who
took the picture). To say that we were relieved is an understatement.

Now we are ready to begin building the fuselage.