lml@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> << Lancair Builders' Mail List >> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Rob Asks: <<Which Fairchild Livelock fasteners did Steve use...several shown?>> Steve used the ones I showed him on my airplane. They are: Livelock Structural Panel Fasteners The Nut part # is CA1810 and the recommended Stud is CA1820-2. The -2 part of the stud part # is the grip length. They do make a -1 grip BUT if you bottom the stud in the nut you will fail the cap at the bottom of the hex. I would recommend using -2s throughout and shimming the nuts to get a consistent grip length. On my plane I spaced them 4-5" apart and, on each side of the cowling, I used 4 on the upper cowl, 4 on the lower cowl above the exhaust, 4 around the gear doors and two behind the spinner for a total of 28. I also used a carbon lip across the top of the upper cowl (in front of the windshield) and piano hinge between the upper and lower cowls. You need two fasteners behind the spinner between the upper and lower cowl to keep the area behind the spinner from fishmouthing when the cowl is pressurized during flight. The Livelocks are EXPENSIVE (about $25 a set) and worth every penny. They were developed to secure access panels on supersonic fighter aircraft. We used to use them on the endurance race cars and I have used them on my airplane for almost 7 years without a single problem. They never strip out, they never loosen until asked and I can remove the cowling in about a minute with an Allen wrench that hangs on my airplane keychain. The last time I bought them, it was from Special-T Fasteners which is now Fairchild Fastener at 818 527 3600. Sometimes the decision to pay for quality is tough to make but it always gets easier over time. Regards Brent Regan LML website: http://members.olsusa.com/mkaye/maillist.html LML Builders' Bookstore: http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair Please remember that purchases from the Builders' Bookstore assist with the management of the LML. Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.