Hinges can be installed with the loops protruding (or exposed) or concealed,
depending on the application. When used as cowl fasteners they are normally
concealed. On many hinge applications such as on a trim tab, you would
see them installed protruding, allowing easier inspection of the hinge and
hinge pin.
Piano hinges are installed using procedures common to homebuilding.
Fit the first half to one component, drill the rivet holes, de-bur, fasten with a
Cleco, and so on. Then, when you’re satisfied with the fit, rivet and fasten the
hinge to the component. When fitting the second half, make sure the two
components are properly aligned, with the hinge pin installed, held, or jigged
to remain in place. Next, drill the holes in the second half using Clecos to fix
the components as you go along. I like to drill the holes in the hinge pieces
first so that I can drill to the component on assembly. When attaching the
piano hinge to a component, don’t crowd the component against the hinge
loops. If you do, you may find that the two component halves rub together at
the hinge line when the hinge is pinned to its other half. A little space will
give you a better result.
COWLING APPLICATIONS
One of the most common and popular uses of a piano hinge is as a connect-
ing or fastening device for cowl components. On our RVs the cowls are
composed of two halves—an upper and a lower half. A piano hinge fastens
these halves together, and the cowl is then fastened to the airframe with
Hinge loops protruding
flat applications
Hinge loops concealed
flat applications
Hinges can be installed with the loops protruding (or exposed) or concealed,
depending on the application. When used as cowl fasteners they are normally
concealed. On many hinge applications such as on a trim-tab, you would see
them installed protruding, allowing easier inspection of the hinge and hinge pin.
