System and method for supporting a leading edge of a wing of an aircraft

An aircraft comprising:

• a wing having a leading edge and a main body, wherein fasteners securely fix the leading edge to the main body;
• and
• a support system coupling the leading edge to the main body, the support system comprising:
• an extender configured secured to the leading edge and the main body, wherein the extender is configured to extend and retract,
• wherein the support system is in a retracted position when the extender is retracted,
• wherein the support system is in a forward extended position when the extender is extended,
• wherein the leading edge abuts the main body when the support system is in the retracted position,
• wherein the leading edge is spaced apart from the main body when the support system is in the forward extended position,
• wherein the fasteners prevent the support system from moving from the retracted position to the forward extended position, and
• wherein the fasteners are removed to allow the support system to be moved from the retracted position to the forward extended position.

A method for a support system that couples a leading edge of a wing to a main body of the wing, the support system comprising:

• an extender secured to the leading edge and the main body, wherein the extender is configured to extend and retract,
• wherein the support system is in a retracted position when the extender is retracted,
• wherein the support system is in a forward extended position when the extender is extended,
• wherein the leading edge abuts the main body when the support system is in the retracted position, and
• wherein the leading edge is spaced apart from the main body when the support system is in the forward extended position,
• the method comprising:
• using fasteners to securely fix the leading edge to the main body of the wing when the support system is in the retracted position, wherein the fasteners prevent the support system from moving from the retracted position to the forward extended position;
• removing the fasteners to allow the support system to be moved from the retracted position to the forward extended position;
• retracting the extender to move the support system into the retracted position so that the leading edge abuts the main body;
• and
• extending the extender to move the support system into the forward extended position so that the leading edge is spaced apart from the main body.