bolt heads up or down?

[robertstodaro]

Is there any advantage to installing bolts with the heads down?

Does it allow you to inspect the nuts with greater ease?

Just wondering.

[brett s]

Bolt head down means they'll possibly fall out easier if the nut is missing for whatever reason - which is why normal aviation practice is to install with the head up.

[Mike Stone]

Scott...
Sounds like you are putting "the eye" on Robert's Bee. :twitch:

[greg spicola]

What bolts we talk'in about?

[DennisFetters]

It is the good practice to install bolts pointing down and back, so that gravity and acceleration will hopefully hold them in place if needed.

But, it accepted if the bold needs to be the other way for clearance, or even safety, such as on a rotor you want the safety pins on top so it is easier to assemble on the ground, and so that you don't rip open your fingers while hand spinning or slowing the blades.

[Chuck Roberg]

But, it accepted if the bold needs to be the other way for clearance, or even safety, such as on a rotor you want the safety pins on top so it is easier to assemble on the ground, and so that you don't rip open your fingers while hand spinning or slowing the blades.

Wasn't it on some of the Air Commands rotors the bolt heads had to be down to provide clearance for the pre-rotor?

Or I could be thinking of a different gyro type.

[DennisFetters]

Wasn't it on some of the Air Commands rotors the bolt heads had to be down to provide clearance for the pre-rotor?

Or I could be thinking of a different gyro type.

That, and on any other type of gyroplane with McCutchen blades that used a Benson, Brock style or copy of an Air Command head.

[Dirtydog]

Ok I can tell you this I have 2 bolt on the Gyrobee that come up from the bottom on the flight controls, I did not like it but Dana said this is how it had to go in. :sorry:

All others are downward if I can put them that way. Safer to me facing down!

[rlaird]

Scott...
Sounds like you are putting "the eye" on Robert's Bee. :twitch:


I bucked "conventional" (cough, cough) wisdom, and installed the bolts with the heads up, nuts down.

[BUD ONEAL]

If you have a prerotor and McClutchon[?] blades,a bensen,brock or early aircommand rotor head the next to last bolt on the hub bar will hit the bearing on the prerotator shaft. Had it happen to me early on.