Once again, pardon this stupid question.
When I purchased my project (VE) the strakes were closed. There is a small hole left where the drain plugs should go. It is about 1/8th inch diameter.
The original builder is no longer available for questions.
According to the relevent CP there should be a 1.5 inch diamater 1/8 inch aluminum plate riveted in there. Or it can be installed later without the rivets. I have no way of knowing if it is already installed.
So here is what I am planning to do.
1) Cut a 1.5 inch diameter hole in the outer skin with the hole at the center. I guess with a hole saw on a drill.
2) remove the foam down to the inner skin
3) flox in an aluminum plate as mentioned above, provided I don't find one riveted and floxed in.
4)Cover with 1 or 2 plys of bid. This will leave a 1.5 inch diameter recess that will have (from outside in) ---bid-flox-aluminum-inner skin.
5)Let it all cure and then drill and tap a hole through the whole thing into the wing tank at the recess
6) Install the drains with flox, being careful not to plug them.
Ok, is that right? Any other suggestions? I am a little nervous about cutting holes in the front of the strake. And I think it would be quite embarrassing to have a drain pop out at 9000 feet.
I read somewhere that someone would have built theirs without drains if they had it to do over again. Is that now recommended and if so how do I plug these little holes?
Thanks in advance. I really appreciate all the help that you guys are. I hope to see you at Osh Kosh or at least at Rough River in N689MW.
Mike Williams
Franklin, TN
