Skyray half ribs

Just wondering. Would it be detrimental to the design integrity of the airframe if the half ribs were eliminated from the Skyray wing? Seems to me that the 1/8" lite ply version would be strong enough without the half ribs installed as well as a weight savings. Any thoughts from you aerodynamics types out there ( Brett, Howard, Ted....)

I think what the half ribs do is reduce the amount of sag between the ribs, rather than make the wing any stiffer/stronger.

I put 1/2 ribs in an S-1 Ringmaster right after discovering "Hot Stuff". Ribs and spar were dark-walnut stain, covered with transparent Fas-Cal. Looked sensational in the air! (just did it to mess with my flying partner) He even liked it!

LAST EDITED ON Oct-19-06 AT 12:30 PM (CST)
 
If you're looking to build a Skyray there's lots of good info here:

http://www.aeromaniacs.com/brett.htm

The engine he recommends is out of production, but can be found easily on EBay for around $50.00, or you could use an LA 25 instead. Had one on mine and it flew great until I tried to do my first Lazy 8 last weekend. I almost have the replacement Skyray finished.

cheers,
Ken

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

http://www.silk-n-dope.com

On any wing without leading edge sheeting, half ribs help to improve the consistency of the airfoil.
Without them the increased sag between the ribs makes the airfoil considerably less effective.
I doubt that any significant strength is added to the wing by adding them on most wings.

>Just wondering. Would it be detrimental to the design
>integrity of the airframe if the half ribs were eliminated
>from the Skyray wing? Seems to me that the 1/8" lite ply
>version would be strong enough without the half ribs
>installed as well as a weight savings. Any thoughts from you
>aerodynamics types out there ( Brett, Howard, Ted....)
>
>DAVE
If it were me, it would ditch all the plywood ribs and cut them out of 1/8 or 3/32 balsa. I would replace the 1/2 ribs with full lenght ones. The airplane will fly better and live in crashes better becasue of the lighter wing.

I have built 1 sotcker and several all balsa ones. The all balsa ones were much more fun.

Dave

Better yet,

While yor're at it, use a sheeted LE and cap stripped balsa ribs.