Brief Description: Leading edge assembly starboard wing
Since the bottom skins will be coming off shortly, I decided to match drill the inspection access plates so they can be dimpled and the platenuts can be installed on the bottom skins. The leading edge assembly was built in the cradle fabricated for the port wing. I found the easiest way to assemble this component was to cleco the ribs to the skin using the first three holes in the top flange (every other hole) and then push the skin/ribs down into the cradle. Then using an awl, I lined up the holes in the bottom flange and began clecoing top and bottom from the leading edge to the rear.
Once clecoed in every other hole, the assembly was removed from the cradle and placed on the wing main spar. The assembly was clecoed along the edges and the rib to spar flanges. The inboard end rib was inserted after fluting (rib was inserted temporarily to get location of holes) and prebending the splice plate. The rear flange was match drilled using the spar as the drill guide and clecoed, then the splice plate was inserted. The hole for the tie-down attachment was marked and drilled before the leading edge assembly was fully clecoed.
Finally, the bottom skins were removed and temporarily stored out of the way. They won't be needed until after the fuel tank is built.
During the next shop session, I will check the positioning of the splice plate/end rib and then match drill the entire leading edge assembly. All the rib to spar, rib to skin, and skin to spar holes will be drilled to final size.
