Light Aircraft Association

Hi
I need some reinforcing rings for my aircraft. Have seen you can get them from LAS Aero, but they don't show the size of them.

Can I make some from wood and cement them in place? Aircraft is Aeronca Champ with Ceconite fabric covering.

Couple of pictures below;



This was an attempt of a patch from previous owner , so I need to sort this properly.

The rings are usually a standard size. I can measure some spare ones I have if that will help.
Tony

tnowak wrote:The rings are usually a standard size. I can measure some spare ones I have if that will help.
Tony

Would appreciate that Tony

In the first photo it looks as if the rings are still there? They are semi-transparent and should be between the prinked discs of fabric and the aircraft fabric.

The ones from LAS, AFAIK are from Aircraft Spruce in the US. It is often worth looking there, even if you buy for LAS as the descriptions are often better. In the case of the Inspection Ring:

Clear Plastic rings, 4-5/8" O.D. x 3-1/2" I.D. x .050" thick, molded from virgin cellulose acetate butyrate resin. To be cemented to fabric as inspection plate retainer

Ian Melville wrote:In the first photo it looks as if the rings are still there? They are semi-transparent and should be between the prinked discs of fabric and the aircraft fabric.

The ones from LAS, AFAIK are from Aircraft Spruce in the US. It is often worth looking there, even if you buy for LAS as the descriptions are often better. In the case of the Inspection Ring:

Clear Plastic rings, 4-5/8" O.D. x 3-1/2" I.D. x .050" thick, molded from virgin cellulose acetate butyrate resin. To be cemented to fabric as inspection plate retainer

Thanks Ian
The inspection panels are not fabric but domed aluminium panels.

Sorry Sean, not sure what you mean by the last comment?

When covering an aircraft it is not unusual to fit the rings but not cut out the fabric in the centre until required, but yes the majority of circular covers will be pressed aluminum with a retaining spring, as shown in your top photo. The ring I quoted is for those.

Understood and thanks Ian