What is the function of the leading edge strip?

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I understand the function of every wing part labelled above except the leading edge strip,what is its use in a fabric wing and will the wing function normally without it,if removed?enter image description here






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    I understand the function of every wing part labelled above except the leading edge strip,what is its use in a fabric wing and will the wing function normally without it,if removed?enter image description here






    aircraft-design wing aircraft-structures







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      I understand the function of every wing part labelled above except the leading edge strip,what is its use in a fabric wing and will the wing function normally without it,if removed?enter image description here






      aircraft-design wing aircraft-structures







      share|improve this question









      New contributor




      Jessica Ham is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.











      I understand the function of every wing part labelled above except the leading edge strip,what is its use in a fabric wing and will the wing function normally without it,if removed?enter image description here






      aircraft-design wing aircraft-structures




      aircraft-design wing aircraft-structures






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      Jessica Ham is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      edited 5 hours ago









      Federico♦

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          2 Answers
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          A wing's leading edge is a place where you really want to have a particular shape and a nice, smooth surface. Stretched coverings (I've done this a fair amount with monokote and other heat-shrink coatings on model airplanes) suffer in this regard since, between ribs, the covering will bend inward and alter the shape of the leading edge (and, locally, the chord of the wing). Also, since the covering is all one piece, the shape of the leading edge will also influence the shape of the rest airfoil as you go aft along the chord line, so maintaining the shape that you actually want is important (unless you want to make tubercule wings: https://secretofflight.wordpress.com/leading-edge-tubercles-2/). Having a solid leading edge strip does just this, ensuring that the leading edge of the wing has the desired shape and forms a smooth surface for the covering.



          This part is more conjecture, but the leading edge of the wing will also receive a lot of wear, be it from FOD, bugs, or cleaning off bugs. When I flew sailplanes, the leading edge of our wings would constantly be filled with bug carcasses and we'd be cleaning them off frequently. To this end, I'd think that having a solid leading edge would be an easy way to preventing damage during the cleaning process. However, sailplane pilots care about that more than powered aircraft, I think, so, unless you're looking at an old Schweizer 2-22 wing, this probably isn't too much of a concern.






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            To add to Marius's answer, in some aircraft the leading edge "strip" will be a thin sheet of plywood that starts on top at the front spar, wraps around the leading edge ribs, then ends at the bottom of the front spar.



            It forms a "D" shape if you look at it from a wing tip and use your imagination. The plywood is firmly attached (glue, nails) to the top and bottom of the front spar as well as the ribs.



            It is very strong and strengthens the wing considerably - especially in preventing the wing from twisting in flight.






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              2 Answers
              2






              active

              oldest

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              2 Answers
              2






              active

              oldest

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              active

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              votes






              active

              oldest

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              up vote
              3
              down vote













              A wing's leading edge is a place where you really want to have a particular shape and a nice, smooth surface. Stretched coverings (I've done this a fair amount with monokote and other heat-shrink coatings on model airplanes) suffer in this regard since, between ribs, the covering will bend inward and alter the shape of the leading edge (and, locally, the chord of the wing). Also, since the covering is all one piece, the shape of the leading edge will also influence the shape of the rest airfoil as you go aft along the chord line, so maintaining the shape that you actually want is important (unless you want to make tubercule wings: https://secretofflight.wordpress.com/leading-edge-tubercles-2/). Having a solid leading edge strip does just this, ensuring that the leading edge of the wing has the desired shape and forms a smooth surface for the covering.



              This part is more conjecture, but the leading edge of the wing will also receive a lot of wear, be it from FOD, bugs, or cleaning off bugs. When I flew sailplanes, the leading edge of our wings would constantly be filled with bug carcasses and we'd be cleaning them off frequently. To this end, I'd think that having a solid leading edge would be an easy way to preventing damage during the cleaning process. However, sailplane pilots care about that more than powered aircraft, I think, so, unless you're looking at an old Schweizer 2-22 wing, this probably isn't too much of a concern.






              share|improve this answer
























                up vote
                3
                down vote













                A wing's leading edge is a place where you really want to have a particular shape and a nice, smooth surface. Stretched coverings (I've done this a fair amount with monokote and other heat-shrink coatings on model airplanes) suffer in this regard since, between ribs, the covering will bend inward and alter the shape of the leading edge (and, locally, the chord of the wing). Also, since the covering is all one piece, the shape of the leading edge will also influence the shape of the rest airfoil as you go aft along the chord line, so maintaining the shape that you actually want is important (unless you want to make tubercule wings: https://secretofflight.wordpress.com/leading-edge-tubercles-2/). Having a solid leading edge strip does just this, ensuring that the leading edge of the wing has the desired shape and forms a smooth surface for the covering.



                This part is more conjecture, but the leading edge of the wing will also receive a lot of wear, be it from FOD, bugs, or cleaning off bugs. When I flew sailplanes, the leading edge of our wings would constantly be filled with bug carcasses and we'd be cleaning them off frequently. To this end, I'd think that having a solid leading edge would be an easy way to preventing damage during the cleaning process. However, sailplane pilots care about that more than powered aircraft, I think, so, unless you're looking at an old Schweizer 2-22 wing, this probably isn't too much of a concern.






                share|improve this answer






















                  up vote
                  3
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  3
                  down vote









                  A wing's leading edge is a place where you really want to have a particular shape and a nice, smooth surface. Stretched coverings (I've done this a fair amount with monokote and other heat-shrink coatings on model airplanes) suffer in this regard since, between ribs, the covering will bend inward and alter the shape of the leading edge (and, locally, the chord of the wing). Also, since the covering is all one piece, the shape of the leading edge will also influence the shape of the rest airfoil as you go aft along the chord line, so maintaining the shape that you actually want is important (unless you want to make tubercule wings: https://secretofflight.wordpress.com/leading-edge-tubercles-2/). Having a solid leading edge strip does just this, ensuring that the leading edge of the wing has the desired shape and forms a smooth surface for the covering.



                  This part is more conjecture, but the leading edge of the wing will also receive a lot of wear, be it from FOD, bugs, or cleaning off bugs. When I flew sailplanes, the leading edge of our wings would constantly be filled with bug carcasses and we'd be cleaning them off frequently. To this end, I'd think that having a solid leading edge would be an easy way to preventing damage during the cleaning process. However, sailplane pilots care about that more than powered aircraft, I think, so, unless you're looking at an old Schweizer 2-22 wing, this probably isn't too much of a concern.






                  share|improve this answer












                  A wing's leading edge is a place where you really want to have a particular shape and a nice, smooth surface. Stretched coverings (I've done this a fair amount with monokote and other heat-shrink coatings on model airplanes) suffer in this regard since, between ribs, the covering will bend inward and alter the shape of the leading edge (and, locally, the chord of the wing). Also, since the covering is all one piece, the shape of the leading edge will also influence the shape of the rest airfoil as you go aft along the chord line, so maintaining the shape that you actually want is important (unless you want to make tubercule wings: https://secretofflight.wordpress.com/leading-edge-tubercles-2/). Having a solid leading edge strip does just this, ensuring that the leading edge of the wing has the desired shape and forms a smooth surface for the covering.



                  This part is more conjecture, but the leading edge of the wing will also receive a lot of wear, be it from FOD, bugs, or cleaning off bugs. When I flew sailplanes, the leading edge of our wings would constantly be filled with bug carcasses and we'd be cleaning them off frequently. To this end, I'd think that having a solid leading edge would be an easy way to preventing damage during the cleaning process. However, sailplane pilots care about that more than powered aircraft, I think, so, unless you're looking at an old Schweizer 2-22 wing, this probably isn't too much of a concern.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



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                  answered 35 mins ago









                  Marius

                  2,335617




                  2,335617




















                      up vote
                      1
                      down vote













                      To add to Marius's answer, in some aircraft the leading edge "strip" will be a thin sheet of plywood that starts on top at the front spar, wraps around the leading edge ribs, then ends at the bottom of the front spar.



                      It forms a "D" shape if you look at it from a wing tip and use your imagination. The plywood is firmly attached (glue, nails) to the top and bottom of the front spar as well as the ribs.



                      It is very strong and strengthens the wing considerably - especially in preventing the wing from twisting in flight.






                      share|improve this answer
























                        up vote
                        1
                        down vote













                        To add to Marius's answer, in some aircraft the leading edge "strip" will be a thin sheet of plywood that starts on top at the front spar, wraps around the leading edge ribs, then ends at the bottom of the front spar.



                        It forms a "D" shape if you look at it from a wing tip and use your imagination. The plywood is firmly attached (glue, nails) to the top and bottom of the front spar as well as the ribs.



                        It is very strong and strengthens the wing considerably - especially in preventing the wing from twisting in flight.






                        share|improve this answer






















                          up vote
                          1
                          down vote










                          up vote
                          1
                          down vote









                          To add to Marius's answer, in some aircraft the leading edge "strip" will be a thin sheet of plywood that starts on top at the front spar, wraps around the leading edge ribs, then ends at the bottom of the front spar.



                          It forms a "D" shape if you look at it from a wing tip and use your imagination. The plywood is firmly attached (glue, nails) to the top and bottom of the front spar as well as the ribs.



                          It is very strong and strengthens the wing considerably - especially in preventing the wing from twisting in flight.






                          share|improve this answer












                          To add to Marius's answer, in some aircraft the leading edge "strip" will be a thin sheet of plywood that starts on top at the front spar, wraps around the leading edge ribs, then ends at the bottom of the front spar.



                          It forms a "D" shape if you look at it from a wing tip and use your imagination. The plywood is firmly attached (glue, nails) to the top and bottom of the front spar as well as the ribs.



                          It is very strong and strengthens the wing considerably - especially in preventing the wing from twisting in flight.







                          share|improve this answer












                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer










                          answered 23 mins ago









                          Dan Pichelman

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