Price and availability of wing lift struts

[M Towsley]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

Kevin,

Thanks, I know I can be extremely sarcastic at times. Just didn't know I was trying to this time. I was confused! I agree with you though, spending the money for new struts is well worth ones life.

[cpirrmann]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

I just have a statement to all this. If the AD comes about, to be legal, we must comply. If the factory instigated this, then they succeeded in lining their pockets. Safety must be the first consideration. BUT .... AD's, SB's whatever, will not keep us safe. It is up to us, who inspect these planes at least every time we fly, with the knowledge that we are flying antique aircraft. We check the fabric, tail posts for rust, all that 'old' stuff. If we aren't voluntarily checking potential problem areas regularly, then we are already unsafe and no amount of regulation will change that. We don't have AD's to check our spars, tire pressure, oil level, compression, mags, cotter pins in hinges, cables, etc. but we check them. It seems to me that we are better served by what goes on here; a vast network, by which to share information and to alter our procedures accordingly. We should have our own service letters, inspection procedures, etc to be available to all Tcraft owners, whether foundation members or not. But right here, I believe, we have the best information resource to keep us safe. All the voices here have, perhaps unintentionally, when combined provided sensible, safe recommendations. It is then incumbent on ourselves to make use of this information to keep us safe in the air. We check our spars and if need be, we replace them, same as an AD would tell us. We all know we could fly for years, with unsuspecting passengers, with no annual inspections in our logbooks or AD's complied with and no one may ever know. There's not even a guarantee that those inspections or AD's are correctly done. So, as with almost all aviation rules, compliance is ultimately up to us. The experimental side of GA use their own resources in just this manner or ignore them to their peril. There is only one law that is enforced to us and that's the law of gravity. It won't fine us or take away our license, but it will ground us ... once.

[DannyDot]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

Does anyone know the nature of the Piper AD? The Taylorcraft SB requires the struts be removed and NDT inspection performed. What type of inspection does the Piper AD require?

Can the Maule test reliably find a corrosion in time to stop a disaster?

Danny Deger

[dmcneil]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

Hi Danny,

There are many Piper folks still flying with their original lift struts and inspecting them in accordance with the AD and SB. The AD references the SB (SB 528D) which describes the Maule fabric tester corrosion checking procedure. It seems to work in detecting significant corrosion as proven by about 30 years of using the procedure (the first SB was issued in 1976).

Here are a couple of links:

AD 99-01-05 from the FAA website

and, Piper SB 528D

The AD allows compliance by inspecting original struts every 24 months using the Maule fabric tester, inspecting every 24 months using ultrasound, or replacing the original struts with new sealed struts terminating the repetitive inspection requirement.

Dan
p.s. New sealed struts are definitely a plus when it comes time to sell a strut braced Piper.

[btbell]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

From the Factory website today:


Order New Lift Struts
Order a complete Strut replacement kit including hardware and new jury struts for both wings. Eliminate the need for recurrent inspections. Taylorcraft has raised the price $100.00 on the rear lift strut to help offset the recent 30% price increase for raw materials.

Complete Lift Strut Kit Part # K100 includes:
2 MA-A815 front lift struts
2 MA-A854 rear lift struts
2 A-884 adjustment screws
2 AN5-13 bolts rear lift strut (upper)
2 AN5-15 bolts front lift strut (upper)
2 AN5-25 bolt lower lift struts
6 AN310-5 nuts
10 AN960-516 washers
1 B-A839-1 left jury strut
1 A-A817-1 right jury strut
2 2690 front jury clamps
2 1296 rear jury clamps
8 AN3-15 bolts
8 AN365-1032 nuts
SALE PRICE $ 3,459.00


Why Purchase New Lift Struts from OEM Manufacturer?
Original equipment manufacture (OEM), built in factory certified jigs
FAA/PMA certified replacement parts, oiled and sealed, two part epoxy primed (white) with a five year unconditional warranty
Each strut is identified by serial number to enable tracking of each strut to owner, year, model, serial number and registration "N" number on the Taylorcraft website.
FAA approved data rev. w
Online Instruction for installation and wing rigging
Sample log book entry to terminate recurrent inspection action
Keep your Taylorcraft 100% original and FAR part 23 certified

[Steve Pierce]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

Are they ready for imediate delivery? Univair is cheaper and I trust them. Piper lift struts are made of mild steel. Are T'craft struts 4130? Univair has the machine to form the strut material also. Neat process.

[btbell]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

Are they ready for imediate delivery?

Not sure but that is my concern. I am going to make a few calls today...will post later with what I find out.

Brian

[NC95842]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

Sorry guys, but I for myself just can’t see supporting Taylorcraft LLC in any of this. So, was it like, a year ago or two that Harry was selling peoples used parts from there planes to others as new parts.

And just what does “LLC” stand for… Think about it.


Sorry, but I had to say it. I don’t see how the FAA can trust these guys.


(;f

[cpirrmann]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

New Struts? Are they authorized to make new parts now?

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

Website says they received PMA authorization several months ago

Mike

[NC95842]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

I know it does not sound very nice but, I have more faith in a part that has proven good for 60 years then the one produced by the guys in Brownsville trying to make a profit. It may be a good part but, I only have one life.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

I know it does not sound very nice but, I have more faith in a part that has proven good for 60 years then the one produced by the guys in Brownsville trying to make a profit. It may be a good part but, I only have one life.

I don't know about the quality of Brownsville, but Harry did have some impeccable welders at La Grange. I saw landing gear being repaired and it was perfect welding at its finest.

Mike

[tabranch]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

Today I ordered 2 of the SK100 Lift Strut kits for the only 2 F22 Taylorcrafts (not A, B or C) in the lower 48. The cost to NDT via eddy current was going to cost over $400 per plane. The choice was easy.

[astjp2]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

Since when did the Taylorcraft B models become FAR 23 certified? I thought they were certified under CAR4? Wouldn't that mean that it would have to meet those same cert. baisis? Tim

[tabranch]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

I meant F22, F22A, F22b, or F22C!