My plane is N80LC, an S-18. I've been it's caretaker for about 18 months. It sat for many years and became home for a LOT of mice. I cleaned up the inside of the fuselage bottom skin, removing some surface corrosion...enough to really make me want to look at the wings.
So, I need to inspect the inside of the wings, but the only inspection holes are located at the aileron bellcrank. I have inspected the 3 inner bays through these and the lightening hole in the inboard rib. There is no corrosion in these bays.
The photo is the outboard bottom of the wing, showing the outer 2 bays. I have taped inspection hole doubler rings to the skin where I want to install the inspection holes, centered in the bay forward/aft between the spars and left/right between the ribs. I am orienting them parallel to the ribs to have the greatest access possible to clean up if any surface corrosion is found. I will also to duplicate this pattern in each bay in the center section. All the screws/rivets will be dimpled.
Our EAA chapter technical counselor says the location/size of the holes and rivet pattern/spacing are OK. However, I would appreciate any comments you have concerning this. I suggested a 2 row staggered rivet pattern on the doubler ring, but he didn't think that was necessary.
Thanks!
Steve H
2OK7
Newcastle, OK
