Aileron Transition Ribs

Where the end of the ailerons meet the wing's full length rib, a special rib is needed.

Wing rib (cut short to allow for aileron).

Drawing of full length wing rib (i.e. no aileron).

Sorry, I didn't have an appropriate photo :-(

Transition rib.

Now, let me see if I can explain the photo of the transition rib. There are two wood pieces, one tan (on top), and one brown (on the bottom). The brown wood fills the rib and matches the wing where there is "no rib". The tan wood is glued next to the brown wood, and matches the wing ribs where an aileron is located. So, on one side of this transition rib is for an aileron, and on the other side is for "no aileron". Have I totally confused us yet?

Note that because the tan wood is glued to the side of the rib, it sticks out about a quarter of an inch. This is done so that a thin piece of material (wood or thin aluminum) can be attached to it. That piece of thin material is used to close the space at the back of the wing, just in front of the aileron. Are you confused yet?

As time goes by, the above explanation will make more sense. So, please stay tuned as we continue.