Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

Brie,
Don't you DARE cut up your Taylorcraft! We can make a replica with riveted aluminum tube (even full scale) and one of your engines. Make the exterior exactly the same as a regular Taylorcraft. If you used a stick you could even convince them it was really an ultralight and you flew from the middle for comfort. Better yet just pull the RH control wheel and mount a "cargo box" in the right side.
What ever happened to the L Bird replica idea?
Hank
Man, a BC-12 with UL weight! You really WOULD need spoilers! That thing would make a nice glider.

[avenger1949]

Re: Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

I hope it doesn't come to that ... you giving up the Tcraft but I do know a man that has a 75% tcraft for sale with a VW engine if it does

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

Cutting up your Taylorcraft would be like cutting up your child because it didn't fit in the baby carriage any more! Get a new kid or a bigger kid cart!

Besides you always wanted an L Bird anyway. Great excuse to build that, and you know how much you like to build stuff. Your plane is too nice to tear up.
Hank

How about an aluminum tube clip wing. LOOKS like Duane Cole, but really a single place sport UL. Just don't get tempted to fly aerobatics in it. You could even put spoilers on it.

[M Jones]

Re: Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

Mike,

Go to this link and look at message #10. I will check with them prior to doing this to make sure they are still doing this, but as of last November they were I was told. http://vb.taylorcraft.org/showthread...ht=creve+coeur

Mine aren't due until next May, if I remember correctly. I will call him and find out the details.

Hey thanks Marty for the link. This is the same company that I used for the testing almost four years ago. I just drove them down to their shop at that time.

Hank, I agree that Wag is great to work with. Tom helped me out big time one Saturday when they were suppose to be closed. They're close enough from here that I can fly in and use they're pretty little grass strip. It's like my "mall".

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

Hank knows how badly I want to build an ultralight legal, 75 to 100% scale ultralight, or "fat" ultralight replica of the L-2 powered by an 84 cubic inch, 45HP air cooled flat four cylinder four stroke engine. And you're right Hank, if push came to shove, I don't know if I COULD narrow the fuselage. By what Hank said about my love for the L-2's, he reminded me that I have a very good friend in Georgia that is an A&P/IA, that HAS an L-2 project up in the rafters of his hanger. I think that it is an L-2B. It's all there, it needs a recover, and an engine rebuild.
I'm just hoping that I can just get the struts modified by Wag, and be able to fly her. You are right Hank, if I built an L-2 full scale replica with lightweight aluminum wings and tailfeathers, and used the 1.3 ounce fabric with a 124 pound motor, I WOULD need spoilers so be able to spot land her. CROSS YOUR FINGERS FOR ME GUYS, I'll take the struts off the plane, and ship them to Wag's on the first of the month.
By the way Hank Manu Sina, (the full scale 1929 Aeronce C-2 replica FLIES!!!). Brie

[avenger1949]

Re: Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

You do know you would never get that plane down to ultralight weight... or speeds for that matter but it makes a very cool Light Sport plane and if you wanted to be legal..... and I know how much you guys love to be legal.... you can take a 2 day course and do your own condition report, the equivalent of an annual. I have a light sport license and got it in a single seat minimax 2 years ago and now own one of the finest plane ever built a cool Tcraft but still have no intentions of going to a Private license.

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

The 1929 Aeronca C-2 replica weighs 254 pounds with the 79 pound 2 cylinder, 33 HP, 42 C.I., Continental Designed engine. With that motor, it climbs at 300 FPM, and burns 1.8 GAL/HR at 3,000 RPM, doing 60MPH. (The engines were DESIGNED to run at 3,400RPM, with a 1,500 hour TBO).
With the 124 pound, 4 cylinder, 45 HP, 84 C.I. engine, it weighs 309LBS, (larger dia., heavier prop). It climbs at 500 FPM, and burns 2.75 GAL/HR at 75MPH, turning 2,800 RPM. Fat and fast for an ultralight, but out here where the population density is one person per SEVEN square miles, and we fly from ranch strip to ranch strip for cookouts, smoehow, I don't think that I will get ramp checked.
If I can snag the L-2 fuselage, (all that I would need, I would even put lighter landing gear on it as the plane will be much lighter), I would cover it in 1.3 ounce ultralight ceconite, but with the full silver, and paint layers on it.
What is going to KILL me with the BC-65, will be the labor rates for the A&P, to install the struts, and the IA to sign the job off. I just CAN'T AFFORD to NOT do my own work anymore. Brie

You do know you would never get that plane down to ultralight weight... or speeds for that matter but it makes a very cool Light Sport plane and if you wanted to be legal..... and I know how much you guys love to be legal.... you can take a 2 day course and do your own condition report, the equivalent of an annual. I have a light sport license and got it in a single seat minimax 2 years ago and now own one of the finest plane ever built a cool Tcraft but still have no intentions of going to a Private license.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

Bill,
Brie and I have a few tricks up our sleeves to get the weight down to make UL requirements on a new build ultralight. I really think at the lighter weight a clip wing might be a better option (anyone ever seen a clip wing L Bird?) The clipped wings would be lighter to build and would raise the wing loading a bit so Brie doesn't get swept away in a Texas thermal!
Remember this is a Taylorcraft REPLICA, not a steel tube experimental "real" one. The fuselage is aluminum tube with a very light structure. It is not a plane you can "Honk Around" like a factory Taylorcraft. Great for fair weather ultra light flight from ranch to ranch with a small engine (I would even put fake Continental cylinders out the cowl openings!)
Hank

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

That we DO Hank, that we do. I built a full scale Aeronca C-2 replica that is ULTRALIGHT LEGAL. Brie

[Craig]

Re: Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

Here is the contact information for anyone interested in getting their struts x rayed in the Indianapolis area.


Hoosier Aircraft Accessories
Hoosier Aircraft Accessory Inc
10274 Old National Road
Indianapolis, IN 46231-1932

Phone: (317) 837-7450

Craig

[jmvolpp]

Re: Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

Thanks to all for all the helpful responses - I've been inundated with grandkids (5) this week and have neglected the forum.

Marty, I have heard of Larry Miller but not met him. He allegedly keeps his L2 at AID and rumor has it he's adding a Pitts S2 to his fleet.

Mike V.

[M Towsley]

Re: Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

Mike,

He was talking about a potential Pitts purchase a when we were out in Alliance in July for the reunion. That is where we initially met him and his wife, very nice people.

[jmvolpp]

Re: Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

It looks like Indy options for N44305 are limited to ultrasound inspection. Hoosier AA doesn't offer X-ray service and mobile X-ray services used by folks like Hawker Beechcraft at KIND are prohibitively expensive. Here's the response I received from Scott Zimmer at Quality Testing in St.Louis:

On 8/22/2011 1:33 PM, [email protected] wrote:
Dear Mr. Zimmer,

I am referred to you through the Taylorcraft forum to inquire about the testing of wing strut integrity to satisfy the recurrent AD (Model BC12D et al) of 4 years ago. Is it possible to Xray the struts while on the aircraft, and to include the attach fitting cluster at the same time?

Thanks in advance,

Mike Volpp
Muncie, IN

"The directive says they must be removed. Why do you ask?"

Scott Zimmer
Quality Testing Services, Inc.
2305 Millpark Drive,
Maryland Heights, Missouri 63043
(314) 770-0607 office
(314) 575-7474 Cell

So, rather than traipse out to St. Louis @ 77K to address Mr. Zimmer's response, I believe I'll head to Wag-Aero. Craig, I'd be interested in your Wag-Aero experience this week.

Mike V.

[M Towsley]

Re: Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

Hi guys,

I just found this reply from back in 2007 from Mr. Zimmer. Apparently I missed this, though I don't understand the trip charge. I will try to find out:

Hello again,

We perform the strut inspection for AD 2007-16-14.

After re-reading the Service Bulletin, it was noted that we can not perform the inspection on the plane. They must be removed first. Sorry about the previous post offering on-the-plane inspections.

Usually a 2-3 day-turnaround if you send the set of struts in to us. The cost is $150.

If you want to see X-rays of the area add $75.00 (The X-rays are not required).

If you want us to come to your airport, it is still $150 per plane. There is a trip charge but you will need to call to get a quote. Again, the more planes you have the less expensive it will be.

We are a certified FAA Repair Facility, QT9R249N.

All of our technicians are certified in accordance with NAS 410 and SNT-TC-1A American Society for Nondestructive Testing.

All of our technicians have A&P or Limited Rating certification provided by the FAA.

By the way, where ever you get the inspections performed ask for the Testing house and technicians credentials. They should offer this with no questions asked.

We take Cash, checks and most credit cards.

Call me personally if you like or our General Manager Steve Stutz to setup an inspection time.

Scott Zimmer

Quality Testing Services, Inc.
2305 Millpark Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63043
314-770-0607
e-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.qualitytesting.net

[cvavon]

Re: Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

Marty and tribe

Here is the man that did my struts he owns S&S testing will do them on the plane will travel he is located in Nashville Tn his name is J Stanley Ray he is an A+P NDT level III and is a repair station #SSKR434X phone # 615 865 7273