Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged VI)

[Tailwind]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged VI)

STC issued to Airframes Inc. for new Taylorcraft wing struts. New struts are now available from Airframes Inc. at almost half the cost of the other guys

[Joel Severinghaus]

EAA/VAA submits comments on strut AD

News item from the EAA and VAA about their October 10 comments to the FAA:

http://www.vintageaircraft.org/news/2007%20-%2010_11%20-%20EAA_VAA%20Submits%20Comments%20to%20Taylorcraft%20Lift%20Strut%20AD.html

(That photo with their story, by the way, is of me and my ship, taken at Oshkosh this year.)

And the text of their letter:

http://www.vintageaircraft.org/taylorcraft_comments.pdf

[gnflyn]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged VI)

Hi Roger,

Yeah... the new website is a pain in the behind. They changed the way they ID the dockets and just about everything else. And the "Help" section doesn't explain things very well. Here's what I did:

Go to the new homepage http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main

Under the header, "Search Documents";
Step 1, click on "Documents Accepting Comments";
Step 2, select "Federal Aviation Administration" from the drop down menu;
Step 3, select "Rules" from the drop down menu;
Click "Submit"

A new page will appear with a list of open dockets. The Taylorcraft docket is about 5 down the list. On the far right of the docket listing is a balloon for Add Comments. Click on that and you should be able to submit your comments.

Dan

Posted my comments today and it appears to have worked, I will be checking to see when they actually appear on the docket. Roger

[Tailwind]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged VI)

I put on the Airframes Inc. struts on my model T today. Had Feds crawling all over it for the conformity inspection. It's all done with the exception of the FAA getting their paperwork in order. Shouldn't be long now.

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged VI)

I just pulled this off the EAA E-Magizine:

DOCKET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM UNAVAILABLE UNTIL OCTOBER 8
On Monday, October 1, the Department of Transportation (DOT), FAA, Department of Homeland Security's United States Coast Guard (USCG) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) ported their Docket Management System (DMS) from www.dms.dot.gov to the government-wide Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.regulations.gov. Because of unforeseen difficulties, that system has become unavailable. As a result, individuals wishing to submit comments to an existing proposed rule (NPRM) or submit a new petition for rulemaking (exemption or rule cage) are encouraged to submit their documents to the DOT Docket office via fax (202-493-2251). Officials anticipate the system to be back online Monday October 8, 2007. Individuals experiencing difficulties should contact the FAA Rulemaking department at 202-267-9677.

[dmcneil]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged VI)

Help,,,
Just spent almost an hour trying to add comments to the AD with no luck. There is a new site and it seems only way to add a comment is to piggy back onto someone elses comment. I want to comment and would be glad for any assistance. Roger Griffith N43752

Hi Roger,

Yeah... the new website is a pain in the behind. They changed the way they ID the dockets and just about everything else. And the "Help" section doesn't explain things very well. Here's what I did:

Go to the new homepage http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main

Under the header, "Search Documents";
Step 1, click on "Documents Accepting Comments";
Step 2, select "Federal Aviation Administration" from the drop down menu;
Step 3, select "Rules" from the drop down menu;
Click "Submit"

A new page will appear with a list of open dockets. The Taylorcraft docket is about 5 down the list. On the far right of the docket listing is a balloon for Add Comments. Click on that and you should be able to submit your comments.

Dan

[gnflyn]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged VI)

Help,,,
Just spent almost an hour trying to add comments to the AD with no luck. There is a new site and it seems only way to add a comment is to piggy back onto someone elses comment. I want to comment and would be glad for any assistance. Roger Griffith N43752

[lfries]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged VI)

Just finished my 5 hour today. No problems found. Does anyone know if the deadline is 11/20 or 11/30. Usually calendar months is the end of the month.
I Will probably by pass the next inspection unless there is an AMOC for leaving the struts on the AC or if the Alaskian source comes on line at the prices anticipated.
Lets Keep them Flying.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged VI)

Question: Sorry if this info is in the AD, but when does the "two years" kick in? Do you have two years from date of test or two years from date of hanging them on the plane or two years from sign off to fly again. We are rebuilding two Ts here, one will fly in about a year the other will be much longer then that.
Larry

2 years from the date of NDT testing.

Mike

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged VI)

Question: Sorry if this info is in the AD, but when does the "two years" kick in? Do you have two years from date of test or two years from date of hanging them on the plane or two years from sign off to fly again. We are rebuilding two Ts here, one will fly in about a year the other will be much longer then that.
Larry

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged VI)

Mr. Fries and anyone else doing visual strut inspections with weep/drain holes. Might I suggest that, depending upon the size of the drain hole... you attempt to get a rifle/bore cleaning ram with a cloth up the hole and check for rust/corrosion. If the hole is too small to accomodate a bore cleaning ram... try a small wire with white tape fitted neatly and length wise, to the end of this stiff wire. Remember that you're just trying to get a bit of rubbing from the inside of the strut. You don't want to leave anything like a pice of tape or rag behind to clog the weep hole. If this is still too small -- try attaching a basket-ball needle nozzle to some high pressure air and see if you can blow something out on a clean towel sitting underneath the weep/drain hole. Both methods worked for me... but then my struts are on an L2A and open at the bottom.
Good luck and with regards;
ED OBRIEN

[lfries]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged VI)

Does anyone know if there are no drain holes can the inspection required within 5 hours be signed off. I have reviewed my logs and 337's and can find no replacement of the struts. Struts sound good and look good. There is no evidence of corroson on the outside.

[Hank Wehrli]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged VI)

How do I reply to posted "your view on the FAA website"? I'm not that computer literate. I'll give them a much more "guided" decesion .

Hank Wehrli

[Robert Lees]

Re: Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

If Hank thinks that

Common sense tells me that a good, tested strut will not go bad in 2 years in normal land operation. I think the 2 year intervals is out of line.

then I hope you have posted your view on the FAA website.

Give me a break, guys. If you are posting about the STRUT AD, then post on the STRUT AD THREAD.

If you are posting about the STRUT FITTING, then post it on the STRUT FITTING thread. It's not rocket science.

This post will be self-destruct & be redirected to the Strut AD thread in five seconds.

Now re-directed.

Re: Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

I called integrated Technologies incorporated (iTi) in Manchester PA (717)-266-9670. They have an Air Agency Repair Certificate. Chuck, the fella I talked with, recommended ultrasonic testing. The cost for 4 struts is $750.00
Not cheap, especially if it has to be repeated every 2 years!

Common sense tells me that a good, tested strut will not go bad in 2 years in normal land operation. I think the 2 year intervals is out of line. If Taylorcraft struts can go bad that quickly, we would be seeing a hell of a lot more failures!

Hank Wehrli
N2003L
last F19 ever built

Seems like the price needs to come down. Others are offering the test for $150 per set.