strut inspection on aircraft?

[fearofpavement]

Our T-craft is due for the strut inspection to comply with the AD. My question is this, we were hoping to have the inspection done at a facility by flying the aircraft in and having the ultrasonic inspection carried out. We would then fly the plane back and do the annual.

I was reviewing the service bulletin put out by Taylorcraft and it states:

1. NDT inspection of the lift struts requires removing them from the airplane and testing them on a flat, level surface. In the process of removing the lift struts, please mark each one, and upon passing inspection reinstall it in the same position that it was removed from (i.e. the lift strut removed from the left rear position must be reinstalled on the left rear position, and not on the right rear position).

I am unclear why the inspection couldn't be carried out on the aircraft as whether or not the strut is on or off the plane, lying flat or on an angle doesn't impact the ultrasonic inspection process. I am also keeping in mind that this service bulletin also calls for the eddy current inspection which was later rejected as a suitable inspection means.

So two questions. One is whether or not this service bulletin was revised and if so does anyone have a link to it. The second question is whether there is any reason to have the struts removed to do ultrasonic inspection?

The facility we intend to use does not have x-ray capability or we would opt for that.

Thanks.

[fearofpavement]

Re: strut inspection on aircraft?

Just an added note, I see where the AD revision refers to the Service Bulletin amendment B but on the forum it only shows the outdated original bulletin and an internet search did not yield the latest bulletin either. The taylorcraft.com website is dead and thus my question remains unanswered.

[magman]

Re: strut inspection on aircraft?

one thought is to read the AD & find the office that is handling it.

They can authorize deviations from the original or an Alternate Method of Compliance.

[Robert Lees]

Re: strut inspection on aircraft?

The reason why the revised Service Bulletin is not on the Foundation website is that the Foundation is not responsible for current data on this issue.

You do need to get the SB data from the TC Holder, or the FAA or their delegated representative.

Sorry to be so legal, but that's the way.

Rob

[Guest]

Re: strut inspection on aircraft?

Here it is

[jmvolpp]

Re: strut inspection on aircraft?

I wanted to do the same thing this fall until reminded that part of the compliance includes retreating the inside of the struts with corrosion inhibitor, for which they need to be removed.

Mike V.

[RobertP]

Re: strut inspection on aircraft?

Just had mine checked for the F22A They had to be removed from the aircraft and 3 weeks plus £400 UK later they are back on the Aircraft! now all I have to do is paint the chips which they dug into using what appears to be a screw driver! I guess they used the equipment required for the test as well. Anyway they passed but I think if I will see if I can get a sealed pair from Univair to save this hassle and cost.

[M Towsley]

Re: strut inspection on aircraft?

Hey Rob,

Maybe I am missing something but shouldn't the Foundation/Forum be the one-stop-shop for this type of information? I have been to other type-club forums that did. Just curious...

And on another note, since this strut thing is with most of us forever, could someone do a step-by-step of removing, inspection, treating, reinstallation how-to? I know it is a lot of work but would be so helpful.

I am looking to do this early next year and I will have to build wingholders, etc., and it would make it so much easier if we didn't have to reinvent the wheel. I know a lot of you have done this in the past but it will be new to me as well as to other new owners. I know some of this info is on the Forum, but it is scattered everywhere. It should be a sticky for those having to go through this. I would do it, but I will have to learn on the go. If no one steps up I suppose I will do it. Pictures and a description of how and why you are doing it would be great.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: strut inspection on aircraft?

A set of instructions for this kind of thing was what the maintenance manual was going to do. Problem is you need someone who can put it together who is going to do the maintenance and put together the report. It is going to take some time to build a set of instructions (or even a few single reports).
I someone doesn't beat me to it, I hope to do one on bungee replacement, but I put new struts on my plane so I won't be doing the inspection, EVER AGAIN!
Hank

[jim cooper]

Re: strut inspection on aircraft?

I have been told by my Ai that the struts must be removed, be xrayed and oiled, if found to be OK. I'm going to put new struts on it. Then its end of story hopefully. JC

[fearofpavement]

Re: strut inspection on aircraft?

I have been told by my Ai that the struts must be removed, be xrayed and oiled, if found to be OK. I'm going to put new struts on it. Then its end of story hopefully. JC

x-ray is one of the acceptable inspection methods. They don't HAVE to be x-rayed.

[fearofpavement]

Re: strut inspection on aircraft?

Here it is

Thank you drude. That's what I was looking for.

[cvavon]

Re: strut inspection on aircraft?

Ok tribe here is the contact info on my NDT person in nashville tn his name is stan ray his busness is S&S Testing his phone # 615-865-7273 called the other day and he said price for my struts $220.00 this time he is a grate person and easy to work with also he will travel hope this helps Chuck

[fearofpavement]

Re: strut inspection on aircraft?

I wanted to do the same thing this fall until reminded that part of the compliance includes retreating the inside of the struts with corrosion inhibitor, for which they need to be removed.

Mike V.

I realize they would have to be removed to treat with oil but since the inspection requires them to be removed for testing (for no reason I can think of) we have to take off all four struts, drive them to the ndt facility and then wait for the testing and drive back with them. This makes it an all day event just for the ultrasonic portion. If we would have been able to test them on the plane, we would have flown to the facility and back. Then, during the inspection we could remove the struts and treat them one side at a time. That would have been a lot simpler in my estimation. Oh well. Sure wish the type certificate could be owned by some type of viable entity...

[Larry Lyons]

Re: strut inspection on aircraft?

A great way to handle wings during strut removal: use a dry wall jack. Cheap at well under $200 and afterwords can be used to put up dry wall, lights, ceiling mount furnaces, etc. We just did a strut removal on a C150 using the jack.

Larry

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=dry+wall+jack&tag=googhydr-20&index=tools&hvadid=3576723231&ref=pd_sl_53fy3jdx08_b