landing gear help needed

[swoeric]

I have just acquired a taylorcraft that was pushed onto the ground damaging the right gear and a bit of the leading edge. The angled strut on the gear broke on landing and was later bent back. I heard that a new strut could be spliced in and inspected. has anyone come across damage like this before. picture below.

The second question I had involves leading edge repair. the damaged section is only about 18 inches in length. None of the damage is more than a half inch in depth. The idea was to cut the fabric and install a new leading edge for the affected area. Is it possible to drill into the leading edge and pull out with a hook shaped tool then patch drill hole. If the fabric is cut along the leading edge how is it pulled taut when recovering? can you stitch the seem closed and then patch over?

I am new to fabric planes but very capable craftsman and mechanic. I would like to know if there are any books or materials to study on these types of repairs I know that a wing tank repair will be in the near future.

Thank you in advance.
Eric

[mulwyk]

Re: landing gear help needed

Eric:

The primary source for repair information is a two inch thick book, AC 43.13 "Acceptable Repair Techniques" (or something like that) available from the FAA website, Amazon, I think Aircraft Spruce might even sell reprints. It describes hundreds of repairs that can be used on our old tube and fabric airplanes. When the A&P signs off the repair in your logbook he will cite the section of 43.13 that describes the repair method that was used.

Whatever repairs you do, you'll have to cut away sections of fabric. You're going to need a copy of the manual for the fabric method that was used to cover your plane. If yours was covered with Poly-Fiber you're in luck...the manual is available from Aircraft Spruce, repairs are easy to make and the manual has a great section on repair methods.

[swoeric]

Re: landing gear help needed

Thank you, That sounds like the perfect solution for me. I am having trouble finding it on the FAA website. Does anybody know where it is located

Eric

[swoeric]

Re: landing gear help needed

I was able to find it at my school library. Oklahoma State University has an electric copy you can search using their frontpage without logging in.

Eric

[mulwyk]

Re: landing gear help needed

Search "Acceptable Methods" on the Aircraft Spruce website.

[lfries]

Re: landing gear help needed

An ad in Trade A Plane got me more leads on landings gears than I needed.
I bought a set for $300 which seemed like a good price. Might be an alternative to a repair.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: landing gear help needed

You should be able to make an inspection hole in front of the spar, behind the leading edge, where you can get to the dent and push it out. If the fabric is damaged, it will still need repaired?

What model and "N" number is your new toy?