One-man rigging question

On Aug 19, 10:02*pm, Chip Bearden wrote:
I've been solo rigging since 1982. Gotta be some kind of record. Same
comments as everyone else. It works. Takes the stress out of assembly
when something doesn't line up. No wingtip holder wilting in the sun.
A few cautions:

Oops. Wrong key. The cautions:

1. Practice with someone around the first time. The consequences of
doing it wrong can be severe, especially if you're on a hard surface.
2. Know how much wind is too much. The few times I've gotten in
trouble have mostly been in high winds. Not just the strength, but the
direction, and whether it's gusty or not.
3. People like to watch. That's OK. They also like to ask questions.
See the latter part of point 1, above: a mistake while solo rigging
can be expensive.
4. Like sports, sex, and a few other things, if you're going to do it,
do it often. Practice makes perfect. And helps avoid problems with
points 1, 2, and 3.
5. Get the right equipment. Doesn't have to be commercially built.
Homemade works fine if it's done right.

Good luck. By the way, for all the solo rigging enthusiasts who
continue to email me from time to time, I do intend to build the
WingMate again. Eventually.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"
USA

The secret to easy self-rigging is accurate alignment of the wings to
the fuselage. I use Udo's self-rigging dolly (my sympathy's to you,
Udo, about your illness!) w/o the lateral adjustment - not needed in
my judgment (all adjustments I make are exclusively at the fuselage).
I have a DG400, which is VERY particular about alignment. I "walk" the
wing fore and aft to get the lateral adjustment perfect (this is all
done at the fuse). The verticle adjustment is done by tilting the
fuse. I used to do this by having a jack that had a fulcrum that
allowed the fuse to tilt back and forth. Now, I have 2 electric car
jacks that I can run differentially or in unison - this works GREAT
and has immensly speeded assembly!

You have to know what angles are required to fit the wings to the fuse
drag pins, and what are required to put the main pins in (these are
different for the DG400). This is also required for disassembly. When
you have a helper, you just have them keep moving the tip around until
they happen upon these critical angles; you don't have this when you
self-assemble and must know this!

Tom

Here is a link with some details on setting up a laser alignment
system to help in rigging a sailplane.

http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder/Co...LaserAlign.htm

On Aug 20, 4:03*pm, wrote:
Here is a link with some details on setting up a laser alignment
system to help in rigging a sailplane.

http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder/Co...LaserAlign.htm

This is a totally unnecessary accessory from one-man rigging. I simply
bring the wing root over the fuselage and align the root parallel to
its fuselage mate. This shows me how much to "walk" the dolly for or
aft. With it fairly close, I bring the spar into the tunnel an note
how much the wing and fuse are misaligned. I walk the dolly back or
forth to correct for this. After a few successively smaller
adjustments the wing is in the correct position. Sometimes I have to
tweak the wing after putting the wing stand in place. Best part of the
procedu I don't have to leave my position at the fuselage to
accomplish all of this.

Tom