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Panther Builders Manual

Navigation: Rigging > Initial Flap Installation

Trimming the flap to length

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1. Cleco fuselage side skins in place. Install wings into fuselage and pin the wings.

Fuselage flap11

2. Install flaps on wing without the drive angle in place (inner rib can be out also), but one hinge position outboard of normal.  See pictures for details.

Fuselage flap12

3. Hold flap in up position, use a cleco to hold it up.

Fuselage flap13

4.  Measure and mark flap 1 1/16” out from skin all the way around the flap.  This allows some clearance between the skin and the rubber u-channel that will be installed around the flap later.  Make sure skin is tight against the fuselage.

Fuselage flap14

5.  Remove the flap and connect the marks made previously on both the top and bottom skins of flap.

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6.  On the front face of the flap, connect the lines on top and bottom skins.

Fuselage flap16

7.  Cut flap skins on the lines drawn previously.  Slide the u-channel on flap do not glue it in position. Reinstall the flap in the normal position and verify that you still have a gap

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8. Remove the flap. Cleco inboard rib and drive angle back in position.

Fuselage flap18

9. Lay a straight edge across top and bottom skin of the flap against the drive angle and mark a line.

Fuselage flap19

Fuselage flap20

10. Remove drive angle and cut it at the line marked previously.  Round the edges similar to original factory edges.  Pay particular attention to rounding over the ones at the end of the slot, as this allows the drive angle to slide over the flap control arm easier when unfolding the wings.  The round edge on top and bottom will allow the u-channel to fit easier. Cleco back into position and check that it does not extend past edge of flap.

Fuselage flap21

11.  Rivet the drive angle and inboard rib into position.

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12.  Reinstall the flap and verify that it moves freely.

Fuselage flap23

13.  Flap can be removed as flap control arms will be installed in part 3 of rigging manual along with final adjustment of flaps and ailerons.

14.  Repeat for the left side flap.