Commander-List Digest Archive

Wed 09/03/03


Total Messages Posted: 14



Today's Message Index:
----------------------
 
     1. 07:15 AM - Fuel Pumps (W J R HAMILTON)
     2. 07:33 AM - Re: Fuel Pumps (Jimmy Rodriguez)
     3. 09:21 AM - Re: Fuel Pumps (MOEMILLS@aol.com)
     4. 09:37 AM - Re: Fuel Pumps (Jimmy Rodriguez)
     5. 09:43 AM - Re: Fuel Pumps (CloudCraft@aol.com)
     6. 12:38 PM - Congratulations TCFG! (Dan Dominguez)
     7. 03:12 PM - Re: Congratulations TCFG! (Barry Collman)
     8. 04:23 PM - Re: Fuel Pumps (YOURTCFG@aol.com)
     9. 04:28 PM - Re: Congratulations TCFG! (YOURTCFG@aol.com)
    10. 06:45 PM - Re: Congratulations TCFG! (Chris Schuermann)
    11. 08:02 PM - Re: Fuel Pumps (W J R HAMILTON)
    12. 08:19 PM - Re: Fuel Pumps (Bill Bow)
    13. 08:20 PM - stack (Bill Bow)
    14. 10:51 PM - Re: Congratulations TCFG! (css nico)
 
 
 


Message 1


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    Time: 07:15:17 AM PST US
    From: W J R HAMILTON <wjrhamilton@optusnet.com.au>
    Subject: Fuel Pumps
    --> Commander-List message posted by: W J R HAMILTON <wjrhamilton@optusnet.com.au> All, It's become rather clear to me that the electric fuel pumps in early Commanders are getting close to extinction, the quality of overhauls is not improving, the parts are becoming harder and harder to find. Had a look for an armature recently?? For my 500A, I am considering a mod to substitute more modern and easily available pumps, external to the tanks, as on many aircraft. Here in Australia we have what we call a Reg.35 or CAR 35 ( Civil Aviation Regulation) Engineer, a bit like a Part 183 DER, but not quite, and a system equivalent to a field approval, where the design for a modification is both developed and certified by the "CAR 35" Engineer. This is the route I will go, and given the basic recognition FAA accords our local standards, this will be a good starting point for anybody wanting to do similar mod. to a US registered aircraft. Once the mod package is done, I will be quite happy to make the details available to anybody considering the same modification. I have not noticed any STC's on the list, does anybody know of any existing similar mods., to save me reinventing the wheel ?? Does anybody out there have the performance specifications for the various Adel pumps used ?? This is the starting point. For the 500A the Aero Commander Part No. is # 626062-3-A6, the Adel Part No. is #55895-1 Regards, Bill hamilton. COMMUNICATIONS CHANGES: All Recipients Please Note. The new email address for all Glenalmond Group Companies, W.J.R.Hamilton, Fighter Flights Internet Services and Warbirds.Net is: <wjrhamilton@optusnet.com.au> <airboss@warbirds.net><hamilton@warbirds.net> and <flying@fighterflights.com> all remain valid. All phone numbers remain unchanged, but changes will take place in about three months, the date will be notified.


    Message 2


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    Time: 07:33:04 AM PST US
    From: "Jimmy Rodriguez" <jimmyr@popsecs.com>
    Subject: Fuel Pumps
    --> Commander-List message posted by: "Jimmy Rodriguez" <jimmyr@popsecs.com> Bill, I've heard that John Towner at Central Air might have done this already. I would also like to know for the future. Contact him at johntowner@centralairsouthwest.com Regards, Jimmy Rodriguez -----Original Message----- From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of W J R HAMILTON Subject: Commander-List: Fuel Pumps --> Commander-List message posted by: W J R HAMILTON <wjrhamilton@optusnet.com.au> All, It's become rather clear to me that the electric fuel pumps in early Commanders are getting close to extinction, the quality of overhauls is not improving, the parts are becoming harder and harder to find. Had a look for an armature recently?? For my 500A, I am considering a mod to substitute more modern and easily available pumps, external to the tanks, as on many aircraft. Here in Australia we have what we call a Reg.35 or CAR 35 ( Civil Aviation Regulation) Engineer, a bit like a Part 183 DER, but not quite, and a system equivalent to a field approval, where the design for a modification is both developed and certified by the "CAR 35" Engineer. This is the route I will go, and given the basic recognition FAA accords our local standards, this will be a good starting point for anybody wanting to do similar mod. to a US registered aircraft. Once the mod package is done, I will be quite happy to make the details available to anybody considering the same modification. I have not noticed any STC's on the list, does anybody know of any existing similar mods., to save me reinventing the wheel ?? Does anybody out there have the performance specifications for the various Adel pumps used ?? This is the starting point. For the 500A the Aero Commander Part No. is # 626062-3-A6, the Adel Part No. is #55895-1 Regards, Bill hamilton. COMMUNICATIONS CHANGES: All Recipients Please Note. The new email address for all Glenalmond Group Companies, W.J.R.Hamilton, Fighter Flights Internet Services and Warbirds.Net is: <wjrhamilton@optusnet.com.au> <airboss@warbirds.net><hamilton@warbirds.net> and <flying@fighterflights.com> all remain valid. All phone numbers remain unchanged, but changes will take place in about three months, the date will be notified.


    Message 3


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    Time: 09:21:30 AM PST US
    From: MOEMILLS@aol.com
    Subject: Re: Fuel Pumps
    --> Commander-List message posted by: MOEMILLS@aol.com Which model numbers will this pump mod work on? Moe N680RR


    Message 4


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    Time: 09:37:26 AM PST US
    From: "Jimmy Rodriguez" <jimmyr@popsecs.com>
    Subject: Fuel Pumps
    --> Commander-List message posted by: "Jimmy Rodriguez" <jimmyr@popsecs.com> Moe, STC # SA00042WI issued to Central Air on the installation of nacelle mounted electrical fuel boost pumps, covers the 500B, U and S. Jimmy N107VC -----Original Message----- From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of MOEMILLS@aol.com Subject: Re: Commander-List: Fuel Pumps --> Commander-List message posted by: MOEMILLS@aol.com Which model numbers will this pump mod work on? Moe N680RR


    Message 5


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    Time: 09:43:16 AM PST US
    From: CloudCraft@aol.com
    Subject: Re: Fuel Pumps
    --> Commander-List message posted by: CloudCraft@aol.com In a message dated 09/03/03 07:33:34 Pacific Daylight Time, jimmyr@popsecs.com writes: > I have not noticed any STC's on the list, does anybody know of any existing > similar mods., to save me reinventing the wheel ?? > Yes, indeed. John Towner / Central Air has STC SA 00042 for the 500 B, U and S models. Wing Commander Gordon


    Message 6


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    Time: 12:38:29 PM PST US
    From: "Dan Dominguez" <dan@worldflight2000.com>
    Subject: Congratulations TCFG!
    --> Commander-List message posted by: "Dan Dominguez" <dan@worldflight2000.com> To Everyone on the Twin Commander Flight Group- This morning we received our 10,000th hit to the web page. With over 7,500 unique visitors over the past six months the Flight Group is doing a great job keeping the Twin Commander community informed and up to date. We look forward to seeing and hearing from many of you next weekend in Dayton Ohio at the fly-in. It promises to be a great year and to help people 'find their way', there are a few more links on the web page to help us all get there. And remember, Daisy is still looking for Waldo. If you find Waldo on the Web Page, you get a free day pass to the Wright Brothers Air Force Museum. Thanks again... Dan and Chris


    Message 7


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    Time: 03:12:06 PM PST US
    From: "Barry Collman" <barry.collman@air-britain.co.uk>
    Subject: Re: Congratulations TCFG!
    --> Commander-List message posted by: "Barry Collman" <barry.collman@air-britain.co.uk> To Dan & Chris, Wow! That is really good news. Congratulations! And, of course, thanks are also due to Chris Schuermann who instigated the original website. Really looking forward to the Fly-In and meeting up with a good number of 'old' friends again. Recent chatlist items concerning STC's reminds me that the FAA have a website for these, which can be accessed through the www.aerocommander.com website. With that open, click on the 'Library' option. When that page loads, scroll down and under the 'Quick References' option, choose 'STC's'. When that page loads, there are further options, of which 'FAA STC Homepage' is probably the most suitable. Remember that the Type Certificate numbers for us are "2A4" or "6A1". It really is that simple! Very Best Regards to All, Barry C. (UK) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dan Dominguez" <dan@worldflight2000.com> Subject: Commander-List: Congratulations TCFG! | --> Commander-List message posted by: "Dan Dominguez" <dan@worldflight2000.com> | | To Everyone on the Twin Commander Flight Group- | | This morning we received our 10,000th hit to the web page. With over 7,500 unique visitors over the past six months the Flight Group is doing a great job keeping the Twin Commander community informed and up to date. | | We look forward to seeing and hearing from many of you next weekend in Dayton Ohio at the fly-in. It promises to be a great year and to help people 'find their way', there are a few more links on the web page to help us all get there. | | And remember, Daisy is still looking for Waldo. If you find Waldo on the Web Page, you get a free day pass to the Wright Brothers Air Force Museum. Thanks again... | | Dan and Chris | | | | | | | |


    Message 8


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    Time: 04:23:28 PM PST US
    From: YOURTCFG@aol.com
    Subject: Re: Fuel Pumps
    --> Commander-List message posted by: YOURTCFG@aol.com In a message dated 9/3/2003 9:43:57 AM Pacific Standard Time, CloudCraft@aol.com writes: > John Towner / Central Air has STC SA 00042 for the 500 B, U and S models. > > Wing Commander Gordon And John will be speaking at the convention, will all of you be there to hear him??


    Message 9


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    Time: 04:28:04 PM PST US
    From: YOURTCFG@aol.com
    Subject: Re: Congratulations TCFG!
    --> Commander-List message posted by: YOURTCFG@aol.com In a message dated 9/3/2003 12:38:48 PM Pacific Standard Time, dan@worldflight2000.com writes: > This morning we received our 10,000th hit to the web page. With over 7,500 > unique visitors over the past six months the Flight Group is doing a great > job keeping the Twin Commander community informed and up to date WOW, WOW, WOW!!! Thanks guys. It will be so great to see you again!! jb


    Message 10


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    Time: 06:45:42 PM PST US
    From: Chris Schuermann <cschuerm@cox.net>
    Subject: Re: Congratulations TCFG!
    --> Commander-List message posted by: Chris Schuermann <cschuerm@cox.net> Barry Collman wrote: > thanks are also due to Chris Schuermann who instigated the original website. You are too kind Barry - thank you for remembering! Sorry I won't be meeting up with everyone this flyin. Between work and other issues, I'm not going to be able to make it. Hope y'all have a wonderful time and I, for one, would really appreciate it if someone would take a bunch of digital pictures and put together a virtual report like I did in the past for the web site. Havn't even had much time to keep up on the chatlist and answer questions. I still get an amazing number of calls each month from people with Commander questions and still do my best to answer and then forward on to jb. I've been wanting to write an article for the newsletter for a long time regarding the engine/gear mount trusses, but I just don't see the spare time soon, so I'm going to mention it here. The main truss assemblies in the bathtub nacelle birds need attention! Quite a few people know about this, but nobody seems to really want to bring the issue to public light - probably over fear of an over-zealous AD issuance. Although JB and I respectfully disagree over the severity of this problem, in my opinion, this is a serious issue. Over the last few years, every single Commander I've looked at has growing damage in this area and it's just a matter of time before someone has an inflight or landing failure in this area. Worst case is the physical loss of an engine which could well result in an uncontrollable airplane, so this is a serious issue. For those of you who are not certain what I'm talking about, if you look up in your nacelle, you'll see two large, triangular-shaped trusses. They attach to the bottom of the wing, then protrude through the firewall and become the engine mount attach ears. The bottom of the truss is where the landing gear attaches to. These trusses are made of 7075-T651 aluminum. The is very hard material and subject to intergranular corrosion - especially when put under strain. The typical areas showing damage are the "ears" that stick through the firewall. The damage is generally very hidden by the seals at the firewall. Inspection requires the removal of the cover plates and seals from the front side of the firewall, then inspection of the ears and the rest of the assembly. To my knowledge, there is no official criteria for what quantity of damage is allowable in this area. A number of mechanics have polished out light corrosion and pitting, painted the area with zinc-chromate, and allowed the aircraft to continue flying. As robust as these trusses are, light damage is probably not terribly dangerous, but due to the alloy used, it is virtually impossible to stop the aging and deterioration of this part. The good news is that replacing the truss is not horribly difficult. The bad news is that it is time-consuming. Anway, I'd urge all bathtub owners to check this area carefully at your next annual and take appropriate action. Seems like a great TCFG project would be to analyze this part and come up with some "continuing airworthiness" criteria for acceptable damage repair and also maybe produce a repair kit containing new trusses and a hardware package required to install (remember you CAN replace those big rivets with bolts during re-assembly). Hope this helps keep everyone safe! Chris Schuermann


    Message 11


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    Time: 08:02:47 PM PST US
    From: W J R HAMILTON <wjrhamilton@optusnet.com.au>
    Subject: Fuel Pumps
    --> Commander-List message posted by: W J R HAMILTON <wjrhamilton@optusnet.com.au> All, Thank you all for the replies, it does look like the Lycoming aircraft are well covered, and I will contact Central Air. I must re-look at the FAA STC database, I have missed that one. However, the problem remains for the very few aircraft like the 500A with IO-470 TCM engines, so I am still searching for specifications for the Adel 55895-1 pump, AC P/N 626062-3-A6, which is only on the 500A. Can anyone tell me the fate of Adel, the only hits on various search engines are all Adel-Wiggins, and we all know and love "Adel Clamps", where would we be without them. Regards, Bill Hamilton. At 11:15 3/09/03 -0300, you wrote: >--> Commander-List message posted by: "Jimmy Rodriguez" <jimmyr@popsecs.com> > >Bill, > >I've heard that John Towner at Central Air might have done this already. I >would also like to know for the future. Contact him at >johntowner@centralairsouthwest.com > >Regards, > >Jimmy Rodriguez > >-----Original Message----- >From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com >[mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of W J R >HAMILTON >To: commander-list@matronics.com >Subject: Commander-List: Fuel Pumps > > >--> Commander-List message posted by: W J R HAMILTON ><wjrhamilton@optusnet.com.au> > >All, >It's become rather clear to me that the electric fuel pumps in early >Commanders are getting close to extinction, the quality of overhauls is not >improving, the parts are becoming harder and harder to find. Had a look for >an armature recently?? > >For my 500A, I am considering a mod to substitute more modern and easily >available pumps, external to the tanks, as on many aircraft. > >Here in Australia we have what we call a Reg.35 or CAR 35 ( Civil Aviation >Regulation) Engineer, a bit like a Part 183 DER, but not quite, and a >system equivalent to a field approval, where the design for a modification >is both developed and certified by the "CAR 35" Engineer. This is the route >I will go, and given the basic recognition FAA accords our local standards, >this will be a good starting point for anybody wanting to do similar mod. >to a US registered aircraft. > >Once the mod package is done, I will be quite happy to make the details >available to anybody considering the same modification. > >I have not noticed any STC's on the list, does anybody know of any existing >similar mods., to save me reinventing the wheel ?? > >Does anybody out there have the performance specifications for the various >Adel pumps used ?? This is the starting point. > >For the 500A the Aero Commander Part No. is # 626062-3-A6, the Adel Part >No. is #55895-1 > >Regards, >Bill hamilton. > > > COMMUNICATIONS >CHANGES: All Recipients Please Note. >The new email address for all Glenalmond Group Companies, W.J.R.Hamilton, >Fighter Flights Internet Services and Warbirds.Net is: ><wjrhamilton@optusnet.com.au> ><airboss@warbirds.net><hamilton@warbirds.net> and ><flying@fighterflights.com> all remain valid. >All phone numbers remain unchanged, but changes will take place in about >three months, the date will be notified. > > COMMUNICATIONS CHANGES: All Recipients Please Note. The new email address for all Glenalmond Group Companies, W.J.R.Hamilton, Fighter Flights Internet Services and Warbirds.Net is: <wjrhamilton@optusnet.com.au> <airboss@warbirds.net><hamilton@warbirds.net> and <flying@fighterflights.com> all remain valid. All phone numbers remain unchanged, but changes will take place in about three months, the date will be notified.


    Message 12


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    Time: 08:19:09 PM PST US
    From: "Bill Bow" <bowing74@earthlink.net>
    Subject: Re: Fuel Pumps
    --> Commander-List message posted by: "Bill Bow" <bowing74@earthlink.net> This is probably no help, but http://www.aircraftaccessoriesofok.com/ will overhaul it. They have done 2 of mine and they work. Having said that you are going the RIGHT WAY with externally mounted pumps. If you get a bad overhaul you don't need to de-fuel the tanks. There are places on this airplane where there was "too much colledge and not enough high school" bilbo ----- Original Message ----- From: "W J R HAMILTON" <wjrhamilton@optusnet.com.au> Subject: RE: Commander-List: Fuel Pumps > --> Commander-List message posted by: W J R HAMILTON <wjrhamilton@optusnet.com.au> > > All, > Thank you all for the replies, it does look like the Lycoming aircraft are > well covered, and I will contact Central Air. > I must re-look at the FAA STC database, I have missed that one. > > However, the problem remains for the very few aircraft like the 500A with > IO-470 TCM engines, so I am still searching for specifications for the Adel > 55895-1 pump, AC P/N 626062-3-A6, which is only on the 500A. > > Can anyone tell me the fate of Adel, the only hits on various search > engines are all Adel-Wiggins, and we all know and love "Adel Clamps", where > would we be without them. > > Regards, > Bill Hamilton. > > > At 11:15 3/09/03 -0300, you wrote: > >--> Commander-List message posted by: "Jimmy Rodriguez" <jimmyr@popsecs.com> > > > >Bill, > > > >I've heard that John Towner at Central Air might have done this already. I > >would also like to know for the future. Contact him at > >johntowner@centralairsouthwest.com > > > >Regards, > > > >Jimmy Rodriguez > > > >-----Original Message----- > >From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com > >[mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of W J R > >HAMILTON > >To: commander-list@matronics.com > >Subject: Commander-List: Fuel Pumps > > > > > >--> Commander-List message posted by: W J R HAMILTON > ><wjrhamilton@optusnet.com.au> > > > >All, > >It's become rather clear to me that the electric fuel pumps in early > >Commanders are getting close to extinction, the quality of overhauls is not > >improving, the parts are becoming harder and harder to find. Had a look for > >an armature recently?? > > > >For my 500A, I am considering a mod to substitute more modern and easily > >available pumps, external to the tanks, as on many aircraft. > > > >Here in Australia we have what we call a Reg.35 or CAR 35 ( Civil Aviation > >Regulation) Engineer, a bit like a Part 183 DER, but not quite, and a > >system equivalent to a field approval, where the design for a modification > >is both developed and certified by the "CAR 35" Engineer. This is the route > >I will go, and given the basic recognition FAA accords our local standards, > >this will be a good starting point for anybody wanting to do similar mod. > >to a US registered aircraft. > > > >Once the mod package is done, I will be quite happy to make the details > >available to anybody considering the same modification. > > > >I have not noticed any STC's on the list, does anybody know of any existing > >similar mods., to save me reinventing the wheel ?? > > > >Does anybody out there have the performance specifications for the various > >Adel pumps used ?? This is the starting point. > > > >For the 500A the Aero Commander Part No. is # 626062-3-A6, the Adel Part > >No. is #55895-1 > > > >Regards, > >Bill hamilton. > > > > > > COMMUNICATIONS > >CHANGES: All Recipients Please Note. > >The new email address for all Glenalmond Group Companies, W.J.R.Hamilton, > >Fighter Flights Internet Services and Warbirds.Net is: > ><wjrhamilton@optusnet.com.au> > ><airboss@warbirds.net><hamilton@warbirds.net> and > ><flying@fighterflights.com> all remain valid. > >All phone numbers remain unchanged, but changes will take place in about > >three months, the date will be notified. > > > > > > > COMMUNICATIONS > CHANGES: All Recipients Please Note. > The new email address for all Glenalmond Group Companies, W.J.R.Hamilton, > Fighter Flights Internet Services and Warbirds.Net is: > <wjrhamilton@optusnet.com.au> > <airboss@warbirds.net><hamilton@warbirds.net> and > <flying@fighterflights.com> all remain valid. > All phone numbers remain unchanged, but changes will take place in about > three months, the date will be notified. > >


    Message 13


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    Time: 08:20:54 PM PST US
    From: "Bill Bow" <bowing74@earthlink.net>
    Subject: stack
    --> Commander-List message posted by: "Bill Bow" <bowing74@earthlink.net> Last weekend I blew the last of the 4 exhaust stacks on the 500A. I flew 3 hours before something broke. Somebody will get a GREAT airplane when I'm done. bilbo


    Message 14


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    Time: 10:51:53 PM PST US
    From: "css nico" <nico@cybersuperstore.com>
    Subject: Re: Congratulations TCFG!
    --> Commander-List message posted by: "css nico" <nico@cybersuperstore.com> Thanks for the note, Chris. Nice to hear from you again. I hope your business is getting some decent traction. We have been in a lull too this past year seeing our revenues drop nearly 80% but we invested in different areas that are less susceptible to dotcom variations and it needs to pay off soon. (Very soon!) Your admonition on the bathtub nacelle type Commanders' engine / gear trusses is very interesting. You may or may not know that I owned a straight 500 for a long time and never even bothered to look at the trusses. Just goes to show, one is never too old to learn. Your pioneer work on the website has resulted in a nice, growing venture and everybody who's been around at the time fondly remembers your efforts. Stay healthy and write more often! Nico ----- Original Message ----- From: "Chris Schuermann" <cschuerm@cox.net> Subject: Re: Commander-List: Congratulations TCFG! > --> Commander-List message posted by: Chris Schuermann <cschuerm@cox.net> > > > Barry Collman wrote: > > thanks are also due to Chris Schuermann who instigated the original website. > > You are too kind Barry - thank you for remembering! > > Sorry I won't be meeting up with everyone this flyin. Between work and > other issues, I'm not going to be able to make it. Hope y'all have a > wonderful time and I, for one, would really appreciate it if someone > would take a bunch of digital pictures and put together a virtual report > like I did in the past for the web site. Havn't even had much time to > keep up on the chatlist and answer questions. I still get an amazing > number of calls each month from people with Commander questions and > still do my best to answer and then forward on to jb. > > I've been wanting to write an article for the newsletter for a long time > regarding the engine/gear mount trusses, but I just don't see the spare > time soon, so I'm going to mention it here. > The main truss assemblies in the bathtub nacelle birds need attention! > Quite a few people know about this, but nobody seems to really want to > bring the issue to public light - probably over fear of an over-zealous > AD issuance. Although JB and I respectfully disagree over the severity > of this problem, in my opinion, this is a serious issue. Over the last > few years, every single Commander I've looked at has growing damage in > this area and it's just a matter of time before someone has an inflight > or landing failure in this area. Worst case is the physical loss of an > engine which could well result in an uncontrollable airplane, so this is > a serious issue. > For those of you who are not certain what I'm talking about, if you look > up in your nacelle, you'll see two large, triangular-shaped trusses. > They attach to the bottom of the wing, then protrude through the > firewall and become the engine mount attach ears. The bottom of the > truss is where the landing gear attaches to. These trusses are made of > 7075-T651 aluminum. The is very hard material and subject to > intergranular corrosion - especially when put under strain. The typical > areas showing damage are the "ears" that stick through the firewall. > The damage is generally very hidden by the seals at the firewall. > Inspection requires the removal of the cover plates and seals from the > front side of the firewall, then inspection of the ears and the rest of > the assembly. To my knowledge, there is no official criteria for what > quantity of damage is allowable in this area. A number of mechanics > have polished out light corrosion and pitting, painted the area with > zinc-chromate, and allowed the aircraft to continue flying. As robust > as these trusses are, light damage is probably not terribly dangerous, > but due to the alloy used, it is virtually impossible to stop the aging > and deterioration of this part. The good news is that replacing the > truss is not horribly difficult. The bad news is that it is > time-consuming. Anway, I'd urge all bathtub owners to check this area > carefully at your next annual and take appropriate action. Seems like a > great TCFG project would be to analyze this part and come up with some > "continuing airworthiness" criteria for acceptable damage repair and > also maybe produce a repair kit containing new trusses and a hardware > package required to install (remember you CAN replace those big rivets > with bolts during re-assembly). > > Hope this helps keep everyone safe! > > Chris Schuermann > >




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