varieze tie down

[dean brister]

I am trying to get information on the plan hole location for the wing tie downs. My plans do not show the hole yet i have no way of tying my plane down. Thanks for the help

[Tom]

Hi Dean,,

I really wouldnt be too worried about the lack of tie downs.  The VE can tolerate very high winds on the ground with ease.

I can check in my plans on where the hole is supposed to go (TE of the winf just inboard of the winglet)  if you like. .

[dean brister]

i just want to have the tie downs for additional comfort level. So if you could look for the location i would appreciate it

[Drew]

Page 24-3 in the Varieze plans

[dean brister]

my plans are not showing any tie down holes could someone provide some diminsions please. i have looked through my plans.

[Drew]

Like I said---chapter 24 page 3.  If you have the plans, you have this page---this is the last page of the Wing and Winglet Assembly.

Soo....here it is...
"Drill through the wing with a 1/4 inch bit, in the position shown.  This hole is foy your wing tiedown.  The tiedown hardware is kept in the cockpit during flight an is installed when you need to tie down."


The picture shows 1" from the trailing edge and 2" from the max thickness of the winglet.

I used an I bolt with a wing nut, wide area washers and rubber grommets.

It seems kind of strange that the hole is that far back----but what do I know, I am not a Varieze guy.

In the longez, you flox a aluminum tube in the hole that you drill.  Here is what it says about the longez...

Drill a 3/8" hole through the wings, 13" inboard along the leading edge, and 9.5" aft of the leading edge.  This will assure that you do not drill through the shear web, but will be just aft of the shear web.  Now flox a piece of aluminum tube into each wing, so that the tube is flush with the skin top and bottom.  3/8 OD x .049 in 2024T3.  Obtain two AN4 bolts and make up a couple of removable tie downs as shown, these can be stored in the center-section spar when not in use.

Hope this helps

[Joe Person]

The VariEze tiedown holes are positioned  to ensure they are in a thick glass layup in an area where winglet bending moments are also minimal.  Do NOT duplicate the Long-EZ tie-down geometry (hole location) on a VariEze.  Follow the plans-specified location.

To protect the small thickness of foam exposed with the VariEze tiedown holes' scheme, you can drill a slightly larger hole, such that a short section of fiberglass arrow shaft can be installed with wet flox.  Roughen the OD of the shaft section, and carefully use a Dremel small-ball router bit to releive the foam in the hole surface in the hole in the wing.  Install the stub of arrow shaft with wet flox & cure.  Sand the stub ends flush with the wing.  This works well, and ensures you have no exposed foam in that area of the wing.

[dean brister]

Thanks for all the help. great info