Plug in or bolt on??

[Love2Glide]

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to get some opinions. I am starting a new unlimited design and want your thoughts on plug-in 2 piece wings vs. bolt on center panel and plug in tips. The 3 piece is most likely lighter and easier to make strong, but the 2 piece is most likely cleaner and simpler to build in the end. Any thoughts??

[Ollie]

Every arrangement has its advantages and disadvantages. Lets compare a three piece wing with three, equal-length panels to a two piece wing. The bending load at the joints of of the three piece wing will be about 40 to 45 % of the load at the center of the wing depending on the plan form and lift distribution. That means that the total weight of the joiners and associated structure of the three piece wing can be a little less than the two piece wing but the mass distribution of the three piece wing will be unfavorable because it is farther from the center. So the three piece wing will have a weight advantage but a roll and yaw inertia disadvantage. The labor to construct two small joiners and receivers will be about twice the labor to construct one large joiner and receivers and integrate them into the wing structure.

So it comes down to the mission of the design and what has the highest priority. Labor savings? Weight savings? Maneuverability and responsiveness? Almost all design questions come down to the resolution of conflicting objectives. Almost all design break throughs are the result of eliminating or greatly reducing some conflict of objectives.

[fledge]

i agree with ollie and my personal choice is;;if it will fit in my van in one pcs ,thats the best [stronger.lighter,even loading] just my two cents fledge