Metallized Wing STC's and information

[101]

Originally Posted on Sat Nov 19, 2005 9:38 am

There was a recent string about metallization of wings, which STC's were active, and some queries about why certain things were done as part of the job and why the variations.

The authority for installation could be via the airplane "cert" or via STC's or 337's which were not based on a resource other than the installer's capability. A lot more of the STC's than are presently active have been withdrawn over the years.

The article includes a diagram from a 337 to show how the panels were sized and riveted, as well as the description of the weight change.

As a side subject, the planes with "bumps" on top of the wing to cover the layers of substructure is noted, and pictures of an actual installation with bumps is part of the article.

It is desirable to learn whether any/most/all of the STC's called for the removal of the drag wires (they cease to be necessary with the aluminum skin in place) for that weight savings and which installations called for a leading edge underlap and which an overlap.

Consequently, if anyone has 337's concerning the metallizations, submit the information to Victor Grahn, technical resource of the club. Especially valuable would be the actual STC's if anyone has those and would permit a study of them.

Some will note that no mention is made as to whether metallizing makes the plane heavier, lighter, faster, slower, prettier, uglier.

Neal