Wing - P&M Aviation QUIK Maintenance Manual

The Airframe
All the main tubing used in the airframe is a high quality aluminium alloy from aircraft quality billets using a
special process of mandrel extrusion followed by being drawn to agreed industry specifications. All tubes
and inserts are anodised to give protection against corrosion.
There are no welded components in the wing frame, and sheet fittings are plated, anodised or stainless steel.
All bolts are of high tensile steel. Rigging wires are PVC covered where necessary to afford protection to the
occupants and to also serve as an anti-kink measure.
Wing tip fins
The Quik GT450 wing is fitted with composite wing tip fins, which improve directional/lateral stability, which is
most noticeable in the light weight/high power condition above 70mph. They also reduce the induced drag
and increase trim speed by 5-10mph.

4.17. WING

General
Careful attention to the recommended rigging and derigging sequences will protect the wing from the risk of
unnecessary damage. The wing must always be transported inside its bag, and the bag zip should face
downwards to minimize the entry of rainwater. Following transport of the wing through rain, open the bag and
loosen the ties to dry the sail in case any damp has penetrated the bag. During transportation, or when
stored on slings, the wing must be supported by at least two points not more than 2.6 metres apart. Supports
should be softly padded, and any support systems used for transport, such as roof racks, must use
attachment straps which are sufficiently secure to eliminate the possibility of damage from vibration and
abrasions. STRAPS SHOULD NOT BE OVERTIGHTENED.
Wing Fabric Maintenance
Despite the best care you can take, you may still have accidents with the odd wall or wire fence or your
protection pads may slip and you will be faced with slight damage to the fabric. Where this takes place
influences repair; high load areas such as a trailing edge being critical. Any cuts or tears through the trailing
edge, sail fixing points or similar high load areas must be repaired at a P&M Aviation approved workshop.
Small damage to panels, leading edge cover etc. can be repaired with self adhesive tape which is cut to size,
pressed into place on the clean dry sail and warmed gently with a hair dryer to melt the adhesive, being
careful not to apply too much heat. We define small damage as abraded holes no more than 10mm (3/8 inch)
diameter and small cuts no larger than 15mm (5/8 inch). Anything larger, or near the trailing edge (within
150mm/ 6 inches) should be inspected by a qualified engineer.
Long term exposure to ultra violet light must be avoided - keep the wing de-rigged in the bag or rigged
with wing covers. The sail should be checked with a Bettsometer
WARNING
!
Check your sail for ultra violet damage
regularly. Flying with a damaged sail could
cause structural failure, injury or death.
Stitching Damage
All the seams are firstly joined with a double sided sail adhesive tape and then double zig zag sewn. Thread
damage never ever gets better and eventually runs. Since the wing is held together with stitches, its pretty
obvious what will happen when the stitching fails. If you abrade a seam, then have the damage repaired
before it gets worse.
Small non-loaded areas can often be repaired in-situ by the tedious but effective method of hand sewing
back through the original stitch holes. Never use anything but matching spun PTFE thread which is available
from P&M Aviation Ltd.
Wing Fabric Cleaning
There is no easy answer for cleaning sails; it is certainly best if possible to keep them clean! If all else fails
and you need to wash your wing, then select a dry day and have access to a good hose and clean water
Quik & Quik GT450 Maintenance Manual
th
29 March 2007
Issue 1
CAUTION
NEVER STORE THE WING IN A SEALED WING
BAG WHEN WET - leave the zip open to allow the
moisture to evaporate.
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