TUTORIALS

There are four classic attachment methods for aircraft fabric: rib stitching, fabric clips, riveting, and PK screws. In previous tutorials, I have discussed the problems that can occur with rib stitching and the corrosion issues associated with fabric clips.



PROGRESSIVE RIVET HOLE ENLARGEMENT LEADING TO FABRIC DETACHMENT

In this tutorial, I want to discuss a problem many pilots have experienced: aircraft fabric losing its attachment when rivets enlarge their mounting holes in the ribs due to vibration and load stress from lift and the airspeed of the propwash. This does not happen immediately when the aircraft is new; it is a process that occurs over time through aging and changing seasons. Throughout the year, the aircraft experiences hot summers and cold winters. Thermal expansion and contraction cause the aluminum structure to expand in the heat and contract in the cold. Therefore, the rivets and their mounting holes are exposed to stress, which can slightly enlarge the holes over time. Once this occurs, ongoing vibration continues to enlarge the holes. Additionally, lift and propwash speed put further stress on the rivets and the compromised holes. Eventually, the hole expands enough that the rivet—and the attached fabric—is pulled completely out.

People have tried to develop a repair method by riveting an aluminum patch strip underneath the damaged hole in the rib, as shown in the photos. However, this repair method is not ideal, especially when the enlarged hole has already caused further structural damage to the rib.







WHY THE LANITZ AVIATION DESIGN CHANGE IS A PROVEN FIX

My proposal to fix this problem once and for all is different: let’s update the attachment technology entirely.

There is a fifth, ultra-modern attachment method, and it is FAA STC-approved. This method is called the LANITZ AVIATION DESIGN CHANGE PROCESS. What is it all about?

Applying the LANITZ AVIATION DESIGN CHANGE PROCESS means a complete shift of the attachment method from an outdated technique to modern, high-tech engineering. The top and bottom rib caps are reinforced with cap strips, which transform the ribs into double “I”-beams, making them much stronger. If the ribs are not straight, readjustment can be done using clamp-fixed rulers on both sides of the ribs during the glue-drying process. Once the adhesive cures, the ribs will be perfectly aligned, rendering rib bracing tape completely obsolete.

The aerodynamic technology behind the DESIGN CHANGE PROCESS turns the whole structure of the wing into a lifting surface, where every section of the aircraft fabric that contacts the frame is permanently bonded to it. Unlike traditional methods where individual rivets must transfer load, this process ensures the entire underlying structure bonded to the ORATEX6000 fabric actively contributes to lift. The airflow is also improved, as there are no protruding rivet heads on the ribs to disrupt smooth, clean air. Furthermore, applying ORATEX6000 fabric can reduce installation time by approximately 50% and yield a weight savings of 30 to 40 pounds, depending on the size and condition of the aircraft.



KEY IMPROVEMENTS MADE:

• Clarity & Sentence Flow: Fixed several run-on sentences and fragments (e.g., combining the opening lines into a clean thesis sentence).
• Technical Terminology: Standardized terms like "ORATEX6000" (space vs. no space), changed "fixing holes" to "mounting holes," and refined the structural description of cap-strips and double I-beam geometry.
• Grammar & Punctuation: Corrected hyphenation (FAA STC-approved, double I-beam), capitalization consistency, and preposition usage ("stress on the rivets" instead of "stress to the rivets").


UPGRADE TO A SAFER, SMARTER SYSTEM

The direct integration of ORATEX6000 fabric onto the airframe represents a major step forward in modern covering systems, simplifying installation while introducing a micro-vortex surface effect designed to enhance aerodynamic performance. By using ORATEX6000 without the need for rib stitching, riveting, or mechanical fasteners, you achieve an exceptionally clean, smooth finish that maximizes efficiency while also permanently eliminating common maintenance issues such as fabric damage caused by rodents removing rib stitching cord and x-bracing tapes.

For further information, please contact our U.S. distributor BetterAircraftFabric at www.Oratex6000.com or call (907) 227-1913, and discover how ORATEX6000 can elevate the performance and finish of your aircraft.

An easy repair solution that offers many other benefits

ELECTRILYTIC CORROSION CAN BECOME REALLY EXPENSIVE - if parts have to be replaced. Expensive in both ways: to replace structural parts does not only cost money, but also your valuable time and could be quite complicated, if you are not an expert in structural repairs. If these pictures, which we took from a Taylorcraft BC12D with wire clip damage look familiar to you, we have developed an easy way to solve the problem. In case that the structure is not damaged more than show, you simply remove the corrosion with sandpaper and the top corrosion proofer with an abrasive pad. Then you apply a layer of the ORATEX EK 9855 epoxy glue to the cleaned bare aluminum of the rib and attach a LANITZ AVIATION DESIGN CHANGE STC beech plywood cap strip to the rib. By doing so, you repair the damaged rib and employ our new ORATEX attachment technology: You join the ORATEX aircraft fabric with a special self-polymerising dispersion hotmelt adhesive permanently with the structure. That’s all!





NO MORE X-BRACING TAPES
If the ribs of your aircraft are hold in place by X-bracing tapes, you will not need them, any more. With the FAA-approved (STC) LANITZ AVIATION DESIGN CHANGE; the x-bracing tapes and the fabric clips are eliminated – permanently.

A PROVEN SOLUTION: LANITZ AVIATION DESIGN CHANGE
This innovative system removes the need for:
• Rib stitching
• Fabric clips
Instead, specially designed cap strips are installed on the top and bottom rib caps. These provide:
• Structural stability
• Increased bonding surface
• A modern, reliable and approved attachment method
The enlarged rib surface allows for secure, STC-compliant bonding of ORATEX 6000 aircraft fabric, creating a stronger and more resilient system.


UPGRADE TO A SAFER, SMARTER SYSTEM
The direct integration of ORATEX6000 fabric onto the airframe represents a major step forward in modern covering systems, simplifying installation while introducing a micro-vortex surface effect designed to enhance aerodynamic performance. By using ORATEX6000 without the need for rib stitching, riveting, or mechanical fasteners, you achieve an exceptionally clean, smooth finish that maximizes efficiency while also permanently eliminating common maintenance issues such as fabric damage caused by rodents removing rib stitching cord and x-bracing tapes.

For further information, please contact our U.S. distributor BetterAircraftFabric at www.Oratex6000.com or call (907) 227-1913, and discover how ORATEX6000 can elevate the performance and finish of your aircraft.

And a solution that offers many other benefits

MICE ARE NOT JUST A NUISANCE - they are a serious threat to traditional spray-painted fabric systems. They don’t simply chew on cotton rib stitching. They actively target it. Even worse, X-bracing tapes often become their preferred nesting material. Regardless of the materials used, these critical structural components frequently end up as mouse fodder. And this is not just a regional issue - it’s a global problem.

A SAFETY RISK YOU CAN’T IGNORE
The real danger goes far beyond cosmetic damage. When mice remove the lacing cord, they compromise a fundamental element of the aircraft’s design. This cord is the primary load path that secures the fabric to the structure. Without it, the integrity of the entire fabric system is at risk. The result? A potential in-flight fabric failure. If the fabric detaches, the aircraft can lose its lifting surface - leading to catastrophic consequences. At the same time, the removal of X-bracing tapes destabilizes the rib structure. Without them, ribs can vibrate, shift, or deform, further weakening the airframe.

A PROVEN SOLUTION: LANITZ AVIATION DESIGN CHANGE
There is a better way. With the FAA-approved (STC) LANITZ AVIATION DESIGN CHANGE, these vulnerabilities are eliminated - permanently.
This innovative system removes the need for:
• Rib stitching
• X-bracing tapes
Instead, specially designed cap strips are installed on the top and bottom rib caps. These provide:
• Structural stability
• Increased bonding surface
• A modern, reliable and approved attachment method
The enlarged rib surface allows for secure, STC-compliant bonding of ORATEX 6000 aircraft fabric, creating a stronger and more resilient system.

UPGRADE TO A SAFER, SMARTER SYSTEM
The result is a true win-win:
• No more rodent-related structural risks
• Reduced maintenance concerns
• Improved safety and reliability
If you are planning to recover an experimental or homebuilt aircraft, we provide all the necessary documentation to support your upgrade.

For further information, please contact our U.S. distributor BetterAircraftFabric at www.Oratex6000.com or call (907) 227-1913, and discover how ORATEX6000 can elevate the performance and finish of your aircraft.