Adhesive, specifically Aerolite
Posted: Wed May 13, 2026 11:43 am
Hello builders
Dad and I were in the process of building our Falco some years ago, and as recommended by Alfred (as far as I remember), we used Aerolite exclusively. I found it to be not at all unpleasant to prepare and use, and I have the impression that many Falcos are out there flying with their joints held together with the same.
My latest Dr.1 build project has caused me to once again consider FAA-approved adhesives, and it appears that Aerolite has been placed low on the desirability scale, technically outdated, and also difficult to come by.
Hide glue (period correct) is not very user friendly and Resorcinol requires excessive clamping pressure with perfect joinery.
I determined that it seems the aviation builder community prefers T-88 as the more prevalent choice after my bit of research.
So I purchased two, one-quart containers from Amazon and began my first trial use of T-88. And...
I hate it! My purchase was extremely thick and a real pain to mix (50/50) and in addition, a three-day full cure! Hardly desirable for doing lengthy and large amounts of glue-ups. It did seem to yield an (untested) satisfactory glue joint which cleaned up nicely with no trace of residual.
What are others experiences with T-88 or other FAA-approved adhesives for general wood construction these days?
Dad and I were in the process of building our Falco some years ago, and as recommended by Alfred (as far as I remember), we used Aerolite exclusively. I found it to be not at all unpleasant to prepare and use, and I have the impression that many Falcos are out there flying with their joints held together with the same.
My latest Dr.1 build project has caused me to once again consider FAA-approved adhesives, and it appears that Aerolite has been placed low on the desirability scale, technically outdated, and also difficult to come by.
Hide glue (period correct) is not very user friendly and Resorcinol requires excessive clamping pressure with perfect joinery.
I determined that it seems the aviation builder community prefers T-88 as the more prevalent choice after my bit of research.
So I purchased two, one-quart containers from Amazon and began my first trial use of T-88. And...
I hate it! My purchase was extremely thick and a real pain to mix (50/50) and in addition, a three-day full cure! Hardly desirable for doing lengthy and large amounts of glue-ups. It did seem to yield an (untested) satisfactory glue joint which cleaned up nicely with no trace of residual.
What are others experiences with T-88 or other FAA-approved adhesives for general wood construction these days?