A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

[jstall]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

I just spoke with Chris at Northern Airframes. He says that the FAA has contacted him, and ordered him to hold back delivery of struts until they have opportunity to inspect on March 6th. He specifically stated that our struts are ready to ship, but he is legally unable to fill the order. He suggested we file a complaint with the FAA on this matter.
Can anybody comment on this, or provide advice on filing said complaint with the FAA?

Thanks

Larry Grimm

Unfortunately Larry, its a loosing battle, I've spent the best part of the past 5 months, trying to get something done with the FAA concerning what has happened at the factory, and the scams that were in place at the beginning of this A/D deal back when Joe Perez was looking over the Factory, I"ve tried the FAA, Texas Attorney General, The Cameron Co DA, My Senator in Washington, you name it and it was done, and I did get finally a response from the Senator that included a 4 page letter back to his inquirey to the FAA, that made me look like a total idot, its a loosing battle, and as far as what happend down there in Brownsville?? as of today no one knows, info is very limited. Its a bad deal anyway you cut the cake. Good luck

JS

[astjp2]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

Contact the Anchorage ACO office
Anchorage ACO
222 West 7th Avenue, #14
Anchorage, AK 99513-7587
(907) 271-2668 FAX: (907) 271-6365
Ask for the manager, and complain!
:joy:

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

If I didn't KNOW better, I'd say it looked like the FAA was getting PAID by Harry to keep us on the ground. Brie

I just spoke with Chris at Northern Airframes. He says that the FAA has contacted him, and ordered him to hold back delivery of struts until they have opportunity to inspect on March 6th. He specifically stated that our struts are ready to ship, but he is legally unable to fill the order. He suggested we file a complaint with the FAA on this matter.
Can anybody comment on this, or provide advice on filing said complaint with the FAA?

Thanks

Larry Grimm

[gromit68]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

I just spoke with Chris at Northern Airframes. He says that the FAA has contacted him, and ordered him to hold back delivery of struts until they have opportunity to inspect on March 6th. He specifically stated that our struts are ready to ship, but he is legally unable to fill the order. He suggested we file a complaint with the FAA on this matter.
Can anybody comment on this, or provide advice on filing said complaint with the FAA?

Thanks

Larry Grimm

[Forrest Barber]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

I posted the THREE alterative strut sizes a while back. Winter Storm kept me busy today. I agree that these new ones will be strong enough for the purpose , but the old approved alternate ones from Taylorcraft in 1946 have proved good through 2000# Gross Weight.

[lfries]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

Flew with my airframe struts for the first time yesterday. My IA son did the
installation. Flew hands off first flight. He claimed the slight wing drop in the stall was due to my weight. Was good to have the Taylorcraft and my son back in the air. He hadn't flown in I don't know how many years. His takoffs and landings looked like it was only yesterday.

[flyguy]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

Latest from Tom at Wag.(yesterday):
They have material, but due to shortages of workers and other priorities they are not working on them just now. He is trying to get mgmt. to allocate some people to do the struts as several people are asking for them.
I wil be talking to him again Thursday at the latest to check the situation.
Darryl

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

I think that they would not have gotten certified if they were not sufficient for the loads imparted.

Sometimes I think we do too much Monday morning quarterbacking here and we are not always qualified to pass judgement on engineering decisions.

These engineers doing this are smart folks, they know how to design a tension and compression strut element for this application.

Of course if you prefer another size that's your choice but I have confidence that each PMA part is sufficient for its application.

Don't construe the fact that I found the reference to the under 3" size as meaning I disagree with it. Was just happy to find it since it was under discussion.

Dave

[Buell Powell]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

Wag Aero is using the same sizes they use to make Cub struts. It seems the 4130 material is getting very expensive and by ordering enough at a time they can keep the cost within reason. I have been collecting sizes and and compairing materials and wall thickness. From what I have found so far, there are at least 4 original sizes, materials and wall thicknesses and 4 different ones available now.My original pre-war are Ft. 3.125X1.21 Rear-1.78X1.00. Some original F19 that I have here are 3.036X1.286 X.049 and are 4130. The Univair are 3.372X1.429X.049 Ft and 2.360X1.00 .035 rear and mild steel.The Alaska Airframes are 3.825X1.420 Ft and 2.383X.997 rear.I think all the struts that are approved are several times stronger than what is required and if rigged right wont make any difference in how it flys. I just decided the Wag Aero struts are closest to what I wanted(almost the same size as my original rear and fairley close in overall area(smaller major and larger minor axis) to my original fronts and they were built and ready to ship first after getting the PMA for my plane and wanted to post the information and hope it is useful to some others who are still needing to buy struts.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

thank u I did not make it out of the room!! I will call them tomorrow, its about time. Under 3" does sound right, I may be wrong . It happened before about 14 yrs. ago being wrong that is :yahoo:
Winter is back I have to plow at 5:30AM nite nite.

Re: WagAero Struts

Darryl,
They are 4130 --Ft 2.67x1.44 .049 wall Rear--1.78x1.06X049 wall They come with clamps and are primed in Poly fiber epoxy off white primer.

Forrest here it is!

[flyguy]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

Thanks Buell.
Any comments on the pix guys?
DC

[Buell Powell]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

Tom sent some pictures of Wag Aero struts so I thought I would post them.

[flyguy]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

Exactly. He read off the numbers directly from the documentation that comes with struts. Pretty detailed, approved by Chicago and Texas.
DC

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

Hey Darryl,

I assume direct replacements for the Taylorcraft sealed strut p/n (ma-something or other), am I correct?

Dumb question, I know.

Dave