Got struts back on today. Inspection info...

[fearofpavement]

So I finished getting Goliath's wing struts on today. Had them x-rayed this time as they have been ultrasonically inspected twice. I had been getting them checked at Epps Aviation in PDK Atlanta but their NDT department does not have ultrasonic or xray at this time. The closest place I could find was Applied Technical Services in Marietta, GA. They xrayed the struts for $170 after negotiating the price downward somewhat. This is a huge facility that does all sorts of testing of which aviation is a small part of the business. They have most processes available. I was able to drop off the struts and pick them up about 4 hours later. Overall a favorable experience. So we're good for another 4 years.

[astjp2]

Re: Got struts back on today. Inspection info...

Too much work for me, you can send them to Wag and get them sealed and a new part number issued for fairly cheap that gets rid of the AD. Tim

[fearofpavement]

Re: Got struts back on today. Inspection info...

Not fairly cheap by my definition. Shipping both ways, cost of inspection and sealing = enough dollars that I can do the four year inspection enough times that I'll be dead before I broke even...

[M Towsley]

Re: Got struts back on today. Inspection info...

I agree, I just drive them down to St. Louis and have a nice lunch while the X-Ray is getting done.

[astjp2]

Re: Got struts back on today. Inspection info...

Well if you have to pay to have a mechanic remove and install them, it begins to get expensive. Shipping to wag is probably around 100 each way by freight. if you spend 200 each to get the sealed, then you are only into sealed struts for 1200 ish....and increase the value of the airplane by 2~3k if you or your widow has to sell. tim

[M Towsley]

Re: Got struts back on today. Inspection info...

Hi Tim,

It is just relatively easy for me to do, driving them down to St. Louis and having them inspected. I figured it out and it would take me 30-40 years before I recouped the cost of new, obviously a little less with sealing them. I certainly won't be keeping the plane that long. Your estimate is closer to probably $1,500 (?), with materials to make a shipping container, plus what you guys, (mechanics), would charge for removal/installation if the owner didn't 'assist'. I would hazard a guess it would be creeping up toward that 2K 'increase in value'. So at a 2-3K value in the end you may be saving yourself time and effort but not that much money. Heck, resale on Taylorcrafts are still not getting what they truly deserve.

[flyguy]

Re: Got struts back on today. Inspection info...

Not too bad here. A 1.5 hour flight up to Lincoln, Ca., and $125 the last time I had them inspected. Have to add on $30 for fuel. Yes that is $2 gal for those of you who haven't seen my notes here on the subject. That's for the rear struts only as I had to replace the front ones.
DC

[N96290]

Re: Got struts back on today. Inspection info...

A piece of PVC pipe makes a good shipping container. Three fit into a piece of 4 inch but for all 4 it would be 5 or 6 inch. A bit of foam taped around then every couple feet keeps them from rubbing together and keeps them tight inside the pipe. I glued one cap on and the other end just slipped on and secured with a couple screws. They are protected and ship fine. I did the Wag Aero route and was satisfied. One had been replaced with a Univair sealed strut already hence the shipping of 3.

[robbie]

Re: Got struts back on today. Inspection info...

When the struts come back how much needs repainted

[mike lutz]

Re: Got struts back on today. Inspection info...

when I sent my struts to Wag, they came back in epoxy primer. They were sand blasted and cleaned up before sealing. Wag did a good job, at least on mine anyhow. In answer to your question, you will have to paint the whole strut.

[astjp2]

Re: Got struts back on today. Inspection info...

What did they get to do the struts? Tim

[mike lutz]

Re: Got struts back on today. Inspection info...

My invoice on 2-17-10 for the recondition and seal of my four struts, and shipping was $1343.61.

[N96290]

Re: Got struts back on today. Inspection info...

Basicly about half of new struts.

[Nefj40]

Re: Got struts back on today. Inspection info...

I discussed the subject with my IA yesterday since my AD comes back up 1/2017. I'm going to pull mine off and ship them to WagAero.

[3Dreaming]

Re: Got struts back on today. Inspection info...

I discussed the subject with my IA yesterday since my AD comes back up 1/2017. I'm going to pull mine off and ship them to WagAero.

Just be aware that just because the struts have passed the inspection, they can still be rejected for sealing. The inspection show loss of material. Wag Aero will reject for any visible rust. If they are rejected you have no other option than new struts.

On the plus side they can provide you with the inspection procedure, so you can check them before you send them in.