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Did you load test your airplane?

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Chris In Marshfield

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2008
Messages
1,704
Location
Northwest WI USA
Good morning all,

After reading through hundreds of past posts on static load testing, I'm still on the fence. If you have built and flown a one-off design, did you static load test it (sand bags, etc.)? Just thinking about the wing at the moment.

Many of the contributors here have described load testing, and Orion suggested that one certainly should not fly behind a load test article. In the case of my Expedition project, the wing design is based on an existing one, so I know the structural concept is sound after doing the math on the original and comparing it to the actual destruction results. And so far the math says that the design of my wing is good. But there's always that thing that you just don't know until you try to bust it up (before it returns the favor).

Destructive testing of my wing is an expensive proposition, probably over $1500 in materials alone, just for the privilege of attempting to wreck it. For that reason alone, I'm hesitant. I could see it if I were intent on selling plans, and then I'd need a solid baseline to be sure. But for a one-off, I'm not so sure. But then again, it's the whole "how much is your life worth" thing.

It's cheaper to build a third wing and then use it as a coffee table than it is to purchase a BRS, though...

Appreciate your input,
Chris
 
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