Leading Edge Assembly

I removed the vinyl from the inside surface of the leading edge skin. Then I modified the leading edge skin for the stall warning assembly according to the instructions in the stall warning assembly kit. Then I placed the leading edge skin in the cradle. The ribs were much easier to install when pre-bent to shape in the cradle. Then I clecoed the leading edge ribs into the Leading Edge Skin. I installed the clecoes on the top first; working from the front to the rear. Then I clecoed the bottom, also working from the front to the rear. I then clecoed the Stall Warning mount bracket to the leading edge skin. The most inboard rib was not prepunched with holes and would be installed later. I marked the ribs so they could be reinstalled in the same location.

Then I removed the leading edge assembly from the cradle and placed it on the spar. I put clecoes through the spar into the ribs. I also clecoed the Leading Edge Skin to the wing spar through about every third hole. I slid the Leading Edge Rib in place starting at the lower aft edges of the Leading edge skin. I then back drilled the rear flange from the spar and cleco in place. I marked a line on the Joint Plate 1/2” (with the vinyl removed) from the edge. This line matched up to the holes in the skin, land left 11/16″ exposed to support the tank skin. I pre-bent the Joint Plate to make it fit better around the leading edge. I worked the Joint Plate into place between the Leading Edge Skin and Leading edge rib. I gently tapped the rib and strip with a soft hammer to coax them into place. When the strip was in position I could see the line through the pre-punched holes in the skin. I re-checked the position of the Leading Edge rib by measuring from the edge of the joint plate to the web of the rib. I then drilled all the ribs and the joint plate through the pre-punched holes in the leading edge skin.

I extended the lines for the tiedown eye onto the leading edge. They intersected at the pre-punched hole. I left all of the clecoes in place and moved on to the tank.

Time: 8 hours.