New pair of wings for my Avid+... not!

[dholly 718]

Made a 24hr iron-butt round trip from upstate NY to Indianapolis last weekend to pick up some new wings for my Aerotrek project. Ain't they purty?

I ordered the wings on 5/18/12 from the Aeropro CV factory in Slovenia and they arrived at the dealer stateside on 8/7/12. As I understand, the ship left port on 7/9/12 and took 29 days to cross the pond. The factory is super busy (US production sold out through May 2013 + strong EU demand) so I'm happy they were able to fit my order into their production schedule within only 4-6 weeks. Decided to order uncovered so I could verify all was well under skin and save almost 50% vs. covered and painted.

And, yes, these wings will bolt right onto my Avid+. I can't help but wonder what kind of performance would result!

[Av8r3400 1179]

How does the airfoil compare to your Avid versus Kitfox wings?

[akflyerbob 41]

If you would, post the contact info for them.

I would really be interested in the fuel tanks.

Bob

[Av8r3400 1179]

Doug can confirm this but I've been told the wont sell parts to anyone without a valid serial number.

[Russ. 7]

Git er done Russ.

[dholly 718]

Because Aeropro CV offers kit sales in the EU only and the importer is selling Aerotrek SLSA's, they will not sell parts to unregistered owners for use on non-Aerotrek aircraft. Been there, tried that. I have, however, found very good dealer support as an owner needing parts, so no gripes there at all. Well, except price which is to be expected when dealing with the other side of the world.

I had hoped to use the tanks from the damaged wings in my Avid+ wings, but after the initial look I'm not so sure. The biggest issue is that the location of the rear spar hole in the Avid HH and Speed ribs is very high in the web compared to a KF4 and Aerotrek rib. As a result, the rear edge of the tank sets above the top of the Avid capstrip. I had the same issue installing Skystar wingtanks in my Avid Mk-IV (pics on the forum here somewhere), but this is much worse.

Actually, I'm thinking it may well be insurmountable without cutting a wedge out to lower the top of the tank and re-welding. Other than that problem area, the tank seems to fit in the profile of the special Avid transitional root rib used to match speed wings to the HH root rib. I was going to use the special root rib and another outboard of the tank, then step down to the standard speed rib.

KF4 fits the top curve of the tank ok but still a little low. Also, because the KF4-7 Riblett profile has some undercamber in the first half or the profile, the bottom of the tank falls below the lower capstrips. I'm disappointed, was expecting a better fit.

Pics show Avid standard speed rib, larger Avid transitional root rib (both w/ oval web lightening holes) and KF4 rib (triangular web lightening holes) placed on the Aerotrek wing. Didn't bother trying a KF 1-3 or Avid HH rib, way too much undercamber.