Any Info on Hipec? No Rib Stitching?

Thanks, Ed.

Your experience sounds good, but there are a couple of differences with the
Hipec system. Hipec does not make use of any third-party glue, like
Pliobond. It recommends that you simply brush on the Hipec Sun Barrier
product onto the fabric-- like you would the Stits Poly Brush -- and it
soaks through into the capstrip and bonds the fabric in place.

It also recommends that the wood be varnished with epoxy varnish instead of
left bare. And, most curiously of all, Hipec says it doesn't matter how wide
the capstrip is. They have an illustration showing capstrips from very thin
to wide and claim that it makes no difference.

I've heard of some people who have finished their planes with Hipec, and
they seem to be well regarded, but I haven't seen any examples or heard
directly from owners.

Regards,

Gordon.


"Ed Sullivan" wrote in message
om...
"bling bling" wrote in message
...
I wonder if anyone has experience with the Hipec fabric covering system?
It
claims that no rib-stitching is required for most reasonably loaded
wings.

This seems remarkable, to say the least.

It's sold by Falconar Aviation http://www.falconaravia.com/

Regards,

G.

That system has been used for years on many European designs. My
Jungster II has no rib stitches. The cap strips are an inch wide and
in my case the fabric was attached width Goodyear Pliobond. It was
brushed onto the unvarnished cap strips then the fabric applied and
shrunk after which acetone or MeK is brushed on the outside to draw
the Pliobond up through the fabric. It is then coated with Nitrate
followed by Butyrate dope.

I was a little dubious at first, so I made up some small test panels
and applied fabric with Stits Poly-Tak, Sureseam, and the Pliobond.
The first two exhibited no peel strength and came off effortlessly,
while the Pliobond tore the cap strip to bits.

My Jungster which has done a goodly amount of aerobatics is nearly
twenty years old and seems as sound as ever. This has been by
experience, but I would recommend that you seek other advice as well,
but whatever you do don't ask Ray Stits.

Good Luck, Ed Sullivan