REFLECTOR: Wing Shimming

[Chuck Harbert]

My plane had a modest tendency for the plane to want to go to the right 
which I pretty much corrected with shimming the thrust line of the engine 
using fender washers between the engine mount and the firewall. I originally 
tried to shim the wing, but when I put the thin washer behind the outer 
lower wing bolt, it ruined the front fairing between the strake and wing 
that I spent so much time making perfect. It also messed up the alingment of 
my engine cowl attachment. Unless you're really into doing a lot of glassing 
and finish work, I would avoid shimming the wing.

What little I do have left, I trim out with the airleron control. I haven't 
tried the popsicle stick on the rudder yet, but I've been told that's how 
the factory used to do it.

Chuck H
-----------

I was told to first reduce lift in the light(or rising) wing, put a thin
washer(1/32") under the lower wing bolts on the wing that is rising. If
its too much try a 1/64".

If that aint enough try a 1/16" washer. If that aint enough, leave the
shim in the light wing, and now shim the upper bolts on the heavy wing
to increase its lift..

Some require 1/8" washers...

Scott

Tom Martino wrote:

> I SPOKE TOO SOON. The rudder trim was not enough to "straighten out"
> my plane completely. It looks like I will have to shim a wing.
>
> My question: My plane wants to roll to the right . so do I shim the
> left wing "down" (to reduce lift) or so I shim the right wing "up" to
> balance them out?
>
> I can't see a difference on the incidence jig so . the correction
> needed is likely minuscule.
>