Twisted flying wires

Biggles · Postby **Biggles** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 5:06 pm

I see that some trikers twist thier two flying wires together. I was wondering if there is a reason for that. I swear, in the assembly instructions for my Spirit 15 wing, that it said to nake sure the flying wires are not twisted.

Tribal Croc · Postby **Tribal Croc** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 7:16 pm

Biggles wrote:I see that some trikers twist thier two flying wires together. I was wondering if there is a reason for that. I swear, in the assembly instructions for my Spirit 15 wing, that it said to nake sure the flying wires are not twisted.

Mine are twisted as well, not sure if it’s a problem

Postby **Big-D** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 8:30 pm

All Aerotrikes and Aquilla's I have seen have thes twists

I once made the observation that the cables we fly with are very thin

Someone then told me that he persanally heard a very reputable trike-manufacturer state that ONE STRAND of the cable is strong enough to keep everything together - It put my mind at ease as there are PLENTY of strands in a cable

Personally I would not worry about the twist, I know it causes a pull to one side if more twists one one side than another

For interest sake, the Mainair does not have these twists

D

Johannvanniekerk · Postby **Johannvanniekerk** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 6:02 am

The twisted in the assembly manual refers 2 cables being snagged around something or twisted on it self that could cause damage to the cable (break strands) when you pull the wing tight. The twisted flying wires is merely to keep the cables togther when you derig and store the wing. This "new one" cable also has less change to twist than the 2 separate cables.

Cloud Warrior · Postby **Cloud Warrior** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 9:15 am

The twists in the wires and the wires being so tight on an Aquilla 2 wing are there for a reason. They prevent the wing from being over stressed in turbulence.

Every time an Airborne driver over here sees my trike, they flip - all the Airborne trikes have wires that are well separated and hang a bit "pap". They reckon its all very wrong. But then how many Aquillas have had wing failures............

bryan · Postby **bryan** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 9:25 pm

Hi Guys
My Aquilla wing has wires that hang pap but when I fly they are automatically pulled tightm They are not twisted and I have twice experienced severe turbulence when caught in a sudden front passing through[45mph gusting 55mph] Poepol knypped severely but aircraft handled it very well although the pilot was scared shitless. Wires did not even groan and after landing intense inspection showed no damage. Wether to twist or not I do not know
Regards
Bryan
ZU BFR

Cloud Warrior · Postby **Cloud Warrior** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 2:43 am

Bryan

Phone Solowings and have a chat to them about why they do it. They do it for good reason.

Regards

Sebastian

KFA · Postby **KFA** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 6:58 am

If I remember correctly, they are supposed to have 5 twists in them.

Biggles · Postby **Biggles** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 1:50 pm

Makes sense to have twists in them... it will have a "shock absorbing" effect as the wires pull tighter. what concerns me is the effect the wires rubbing against each other.

I have checked teh manual for the Spirit 15 Wing and no mention of twisting the flying wires around each other. Only reference to checking that they are not twisted.

atom · Postby **atom** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:30 pm

As far as i know the reason for the twists in the flying wires effects the DYHEDRAL of the wing . The more dyhedral the more stable the wing but also more difficult to make it roll into a turn. Dyhedral is increased by twisting the wires more times and vice versa.
Aquilla has 3 turns as far as i can remember.
Atom

Cloud Warrior · Postby **Cloud Warrior** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 1:49 am

Aquilla 2 wing is 5 - 6 turns.

John Young · Postby **John Young** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 4:51 am

Hi,

Ever heard a Hobi Cat parked in the wind at night - the cables flutter and resonate off the mast non-stop.

The reasons the flying wires are twisted particularly on the Aquilla 1 are to -

1. Stop the potential flutter, and

2. Adjust the length of the flying wires once the dihedral has been set with the landing wires.

atom wrote:Dyhedral is increased by twisting the wires more times and vice versa.

Hi Atom,

The dihedral would be decreased by twisting the flying wires.

Regards
John ZU-sEXY