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9/13/2025
2 Hr
Aileron Leading edge (21-4)
Once I had clecoed the brackets, steel pipe and leading-edge skin, I drilled the two end holes. I started them with the skin on and a #40 drill bit, but it wants to walk vs. drilling into the steel pipe. I took everything apart and took the pipe over to the drill press. I started with a really small drill bit and worked my way up to #30, with plenty of oil and a real short amount of the bit exposed to keep it from bending. Once I had these two holes drill I clecoed the assembly back together and dilled the other bolt hole….again marking it with the #40 then over to the drill press to drill to size…this time up to #27. Next I secure the pipe to the bracket with the hardware called out and re-assembled everything black to gether. For the leading edges holes I initially started with the #40 to mark the center, then with the hand drill I used a small bit (1/16) then #40 and finally #30. I secured each hole with a cleco as I went along. This technique worked pretty good, you just have to make sure you stayed centered.

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