Leading Edge Tape

Hal · Post by **Hal** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 5:54 pm

Does anyone have experiance with installing leading edge tape? The leading edge on my right wing starting at the strut attach area outward approx. five feet is slitely dented. I discovered this when I striped the paint and found bondo in these dents and removed it. I have polished the plane and have flown it for five years now and do not experiense any adverse effect on the right wing in lift or control. However, being polished the leding edge does not look good. Would putting 4" or 6" leading edge tape cause any lift or control problems and would it be legal? Has anyone "been there and done that"?

Hal Singrey
5568C 170A

blueldr · Post by **blueldr** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 7:51 pm

I would suggest that the easiest and least expensive route renew your wing leading edges is to install one of the leading edge "cuff" kits.

I can't immagine that a leading edge tape could do much for your problem and it surely will not do much for a polished surface.

Hal · Post by **Hal** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 12:05 am

Where would one find this leading edge "cuff" repair kit? as i'm unaware of this type of kit.

blueldr · Post by **blueldr** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 2:09 am

There are two leading edge cuff kits that come to mind. One is the "Horton" STOL kit, and the other one is the "Sportsman" kit. I seem to remember the Sportsman kit as coming from Californin City and the Horton kit from Horton,Inc., Wellington Municipal Airport, Wellington,KS 67152.
Either of these are probably advertised in TAP.

Post by **GAHorn** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 1:20 am

The leading edge tape sold by aviation suppliers does not have adverse effects on handling or lift.

blueldr · Post by **blueldr** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 5:05 am

Sounds to me like the least expensive fix for you would be to re-fill the dents with "bondo" and paint the leading edges your trim color. I can't see a leading edge tape doing anything for dents.

Post by **GAHorn** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 1:41 pm

Blue Elder is correctomundo. Surface imperfections beneath either, tape or paint, will be evident. Tape won't be as sensitive to it., but a good paint job always looks best.

thammer · Post by **thammer** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 4:14 am

There's always the hardest, most expensive option, put a new leading edge on.

That'll polish up real nice.