---------------------------------------------------------- Kolb-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Thu 10/14/04: 18 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 04:52 AM - SKYBOY (Edward Steuber) 2. 04:54 AM - Re: Sebring Sport Aviation Expo (George T. Alexander, Jr.) 3. 05:25 AM - Skyboy? (Doug Lawton) 4. 08:31 AM - Re: Challengers (PATRICK LADD) 5. 09:13 AM - Kolb landings (PATRICK LADD) 6. 09:18 AM - Re: Challengers (Richard & Martha Neilsen) 7. 05:22 PM - Good Service (David Paule) 8. 06:14 PM - Re: Challengers (John Hauck) 9. 06:30 PM - Re: Sebring Sport Aviation Expo (Richard Swiderwski) 10. 06:47 PM - Re: Powder Coating 6061-T6 Alum. (HShack@aol.com) 11. 06:50 PM - Re: Kolb Fly-in Photos (Eugene Zimmerman) 12. 07:02 PM - Re: Challengers (jerb) 13. 07:07 PM - Re: Sebring Sport Aviation Expo (GeoR38@aol.com) 14. 07:26 PM - Re: Sebring Sport Aviation Expo (Beauford) 15. 08:13 PM - HAC Carb (Vic) 16. 08:18 PM - Re: Good Service (Giovanni Day) 17. 09:05 PM - Re: Powder Coating 6061-T6 Alum. (Ken korenek) 18. 10:06 PM - Re: Powder Coating 6061-T6 Alum. (Denny Rowe) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 04:52:52 AM PST US From: "Edward Steuber" Subject: Kolb-List: SKYBOY --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Edward Steuber" I usually don't bad mouth anybody's aircraft cause some pilots take it real personal....Everything Beauford said is correct about the 582 Skyboy. A friend of mine owns one here in Western NY and I flew it with the owner...I am 210# and he has to be close to that...cool day.... flys like it is very overloaded.....it really needs 125-150 hp. Just bought an old wrecked CGS HAWK for a rebuild this winter...right after the Agcat (business first ), Stinson L5,and 2 Cassutt Racers ......suppose to be a long winter....may get them finished if the winter lasts into 2006 and it sounds like it may. And for all you young guys joking about us seniors ...........Youth is wasted on the young! Ed in Western NY ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 04:54:39 AM PST US From: "George T. Alexander, Jr." Subject: RE: Kolb-List: Sebring Sport Aviation Expo --> Kolb-List message posted by: "George T. Alexander, Jr." Duane et al: Being a new Sunshine State resident (Venice area), I plan to be there at least Saturday. Looking forward to the gathering. George Alexander FS II http://gtalexander.home.attnet DO NOT ARCHIVE -----Original Message----- From: owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of H MITCHELL Subject: Kolb-List: Sebring Sport Aviation Expo --> Kolb-List message posted by: "H MITCHELL" I am making plans to drive to Sebring on the 28th or 29th of Oct. 'Looks like it's going to be a major event. Hope to see George Randolph, Richard Swiderski, Beauford T., Steve Boetto et al while I am there. How's about it guys ? Duane the plane Mitchell, Tallahassee, FL, Mk3/912, 12 hrs ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 05:25:42 AM PST US From: "Doug Lawton" Subject: Kolb-List: Skyboy? --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Doug Lawton" Hi Gang, Don't know about the rest of you guys, but I don't think I could bring myself to fly something called a "Skyboy". Nope, just couldn't do it. Wouldn't be prudent.......or sound right.......or something. Reminds me of the effort a number of years ago by a "select" few that wanted to change the name of hang gliding to "sky sailing". I can hear it now, "Hi there Sky Sailor, wanna buy me a drink"? Yuck. Give me a manly sounding name like Kolb MK III Extra. Or Kolbra, Firefly, FireStar, Or Slingshot. Now those are names you can be proud of !!! Hope I didn't miss any. Oh yeah, Ultrastar. Has a nice ring to it. ; ) Fly Safely, Doug Drifter pilot now, Kolb pilot wannabe Do Not Archive Time: 02:58:02 PM PST US From: "chris davis" Subject: Kolb-List: skyboy --> Kolb-List message posted by: "chris davis" kolbers just stumbled on a web sight for sky boy aircraft . Anybody know any thing good or bad about them . Anyone flown one thanks just curious ,similar too mk three in cofig . chris ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 08:31:53 AM PST US From: "PATRICK LADD" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Challengers --> Kolb-List message posted by: "PATRICK LADD" <> Hi John, I flew late yesterday afternoon. Cold, clear sky after heavy rain in the morning. Wore my flying jacket for the first time this year. Low sun and long shadows, ploughing is well underway and the field patterns looked great. Following the comments about weak nosewheel on the Challenger I paid particular attention to the way I fly. Usually I don`t give it a thought. I taxi out with the stick hard back to keep the weight off the nosewheel and give her a couple of full throttle bursts en route as I cannot do a full throttle run up because the brakes won`t hold her. This produces a surge of power and speed and the nose lifts (bounces?) into the air and then settles quietly again as the power comes off. Take off is full chat with stick hard back, check forward on lift off and then 700 ft per min at 50 knots up the slope. Landing I execute as if it was a taildragger, just holding off with the nose high as the speed falls off and the nose comes down gently.No prob. Which brings me to the scare stories on this list about landing the Kolb. It won`t flare, wheel it on, keep the speed up, take the flaps off etc., buy a spare set of u/c legs, I bend the axles straight with a piece of water pipe` was one quote. Has anyone really looked at this? Is the problem real or imagined? All Kolbs or some specific models? During testing for type acceptance in the UK a 3Xtra was dropped from a height of 4 feet at MAUW of 450lbs. No deformation. One of the test pilots `arrived` hard enough to blow a tyre. Still no deformation. What is going on? I am off to a sunny island in the Meditteranean at crack of dawn tomorrow for 10 days. I shall look forward to having all your answers, in your best handwriting, on one side of the paper, on my desk when I get back. Cheers Pat :-) pj.ladd@btinternet.com Do not archive ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 09:13:50 AM PST US From: "PATRICK LADD" Subject: Kolb-List: Kolb landings --> Kolb-List message posted by: "PATRICK LADD" Re my comments about testing the Xtra in the UK the drop was 3 ft, not 4 and the MAUW was 450 Kilo, not lbs. Sorry about that. Pat pj.ladd@btinternet.con Do not archive ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 09:18:13 AM PST US From: "Richard & Martha Neilsen" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Challengers --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Richard & Martha Neilsen" Patrick Some models have weak landing gear legs but the primary cause of bent gear legs is that people are used to General Aviation Aircraft. These GA aircraft need to be flared at 100+ ft and will float in ground effect for half a mile if you are a bit fast on approach. If Kolbs weren't draggy STOL airplanes with a very light weight (little inertia) they would do this also. Because of this they need to be landed differently. There are many techniques that have been described that get people thru the training phase of landings. When YOU (the plane already knows how) get good at it you can land with no power, flair and land VERY short. Again most people aren't born with the talent, or have been trained for GA airplanes, so they don't allow their Kolbs to land very well. Rick Neilsen Redrive VW powered MKIIIc ----- Original Message ----- From: "PATRICK LADD" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Challengers > --> Kolb-List message posted by: "PATRICK LADD" > > < of > the aircraft is wiped off back to the pilots knees.>> > > Hi John, > I flew late yesterday afternoon. Cold, clear sky after heavy rain in the > morning. Wore my flying jacket for the first time this year. Low sun and > long shadows, ploughing is well underway and the field patterns looked > great. > Following the comments about weak nosewheel on the Challenger I paid > particular attention to the way I fly. Usually I don`t give it a thought. > I > taxi out with the stick hard back to keep the weight off the nosewheel and > give her a couple of full throttle bursts en route as I cannot do a full > throttle run up because the brakes won`t hold her. This produces a surge > of > power and speed and the nose lifts (bounces?) into the air and then > settles > quietly again as the power comes off. Take off is full chat with stick > hard > back, check forward on lift off and then 700 ft per min at 50 knots up the > slope. Landing I execute as if it was a taildragger, just holding off with > the nose high as the speed falls off and the nose comes down gently.No > prob. > > Which brings me to the scare stories on this list about landing the Kolb. > It > won`t flare, wheel it on, keep the speed up, take the flaps off etc., buy > a > spare set of u/c legs, I bend the axles straight with a piece of water > pipe` > was one quote. > Has anyone really looked at this? Is the problem real or imagined? All > Kolbs > or some specific models? > During testing for type acceptance in the UK a 3Xtra was dropped from a > height of 4 feet at MAUW of 450lbs. No deformation. One of the test pilots > `arrived` hard enough to blow a tyre. Still no deformation. What is going > on? > > I am off to a sunny island in the Meditteranean at crack of dawn tomorrow > for 10 days. I shall look forward to having all your answers, in your > best > handwriting, on one side of the paper, on my desk when I get back. > > Cheers > > Pat :-) > > pj.ladd@btinternet.com > > Do not archive > > > ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 05:22:14 PM PST US From: "David Paule" Subject: Kolb-List: Good Service --> Kolb-List message posted by: "David Paule" I ordered a Matco tailwheel assembly, the T-6 model, through Chief Aircraft on Tuesday. I didn't request any special shipping. Today, Thursday, it arrived. These are drop-shipped from the factory in Utah. Great service! Dave Paule FS II Boulder, CO ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 06:14:43 PM PST US From: "John Hauck" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Challengers --> Kolb-List message posted by: "John Hauck" ----- Original Message ----- From: "PATRICK LADD" Hi Patrick/Gang: | Which brings me to the scare stories on this list about landing the Kolb. People who have difficulty landing Kolbs are low time inexperienced pilots. They may have thousands of hours in "other" type aircraft, but not much in Kolbs. | It won`t flare, wheel it on, keep the speed up, take the flaps off etc., buy a | spare set of u/c legs, I bend the axles straight with a piece of water pipe` | was one quote. I don't have any problem flaring, stalling three point landings, full flaps, engine off. Most Kolb pilots do not have a problem landing them. They are a piece of cake. I have straightened axles on the Ultrastar and Firestar using a piece of water pipe. Also straightened gear legs with hydraulic press. I am an aggressive pilot. I fly in and out of fields normal airplanes don't fly. Always have since I started flying these little Kolbs summer of 1984. | Has anyone really looked at this? Is the problem real or imagined? All Kolbs | or some specific models? The problem is not the airplane, but the pilot. |One of the test pilots | `arrived` hard enough to blow a tyre. Still no deformation. What is going | on? You tell us. I have never heard of a Kolb blowing a tire until your email. I have had some terribly hard (crash) landings. Never blown a tire, even the old golf cart, garden type tires. Kolb pilots that have problems landing Kolbs, are probably hesitant to land with full flaps, with or without power, probably do not practice using them, probably will never learn to use them. They are a tremendous asset to the safety and survivability of the Mark III. I don't care too much about the flaperons on the SS, FF, or MKIIIX, but I love my 20 deg and 40 deg flaps on the MKIII. Would not leave home without them. The more you use them the more familiar and comfortable you get with them. Same same engine off (completely or idle power) landings. Then......when you need them, it all comes naturally. Sorry, no tests. I thought this wasn't a graded exercise. :-) Take care, john h ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 06:30:15 PM PST US From: "Richard Swiderwski" Subject: RE: Kolb-List: Sebring Sport Aviation Expo --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Richard Swiderwski" Hey Duane, I won't be going to Sebring, but I'd sure like to. I'm 2 miles off I-75 so give me a call as you are passing by & maybe I could fix you up with a cup of coffee and a short break. 352-307-9009. ...Richard Swiderski -----Original Message----- From: owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of H MITCHELL Subject: Kolb-List: Sebring Sport Aviation Expo --> Kolb-List message posted by: "H MITCHELL" I am making plans to drive to Sebring on the 28th or 29th of Oct. 'Looks like it's going to be a major event. Hope to see George Randolph, Richard Swiderski, Beauford T., Steve Boetto et al while I am there. How's about it guys ? Duane the plane Mitchell, Tallahassee, FL, Mk3/912, 12 hrs ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 06:47:57 PM PST US From: HShack@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Powder Coating 6061-T6 Alum. --> Kolb-List message posted by: HShack@aol.com I have been advised by some "engineer-types" that powder coating [process] weakens 6061-T6 Aluminum because of the heat. I had my lift struts & fuselage boom tube powder coated before I found this out; been a little worried about it. Now, I read on TNK website that they offer powdercoating on their boom tubes; should I feel better???? Howard Shackleford FS II SC ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 06:50:50 PM PST US From: Eugene Zimmerman Subject: Kolb-List: Re: Kolb Fly-in Photos --> Kolb-List message posted by: Eugene Zimmerman Hi Tom, Welcome to the Kolb list. This list is probably the best group of Kolb builders and owners you are going to fine anywhere. It is your most helpful source of information along with the factory about anything relating to Kolb aircraft. As concerning a reliable comparison of the Kolb's vs. competitive aircraft, I am not aware of any attempts to officially objectively compare various ultralight/sport aircraft. Of course pilots have been comparing and competing their planes since the Wright Bros. The mags. give flight reports on various planes and Kolb has always had good reviews but I have never seen an actual comparison. Kolb enjoys stellar reputation in the ultralight/sport aircraft community. Kolb planes may not be the best at everything but they are outstanding in everything and unexcelled in some things. For example, All Kolb planes are unexcelled in their ease to fold the wings for storage saving many owners tons of money on hanger rent fees. Kolb planes enjoy an excellent reputation for short take off and steep climbs and along with their short landing capability. Their responsive controls are an industry standard of comparison. I have been flying Kolb planes since 1982, let me see thats 22 years,(wow! and I aint old yet) and I have not been disappointed with them ever. Im not sure about a Mark III owner near Allentown but dont be surprised if someone takes you up on your offer. How about it folks any body near Allentown PA with a Mark III? Gene Tom O'Hara wrote: > Gene-- I got your email from the photos that you had placed on the net > regarding the Kolb fly-in. I have been flying for some 40+ years and > actually grew up in Oshkosh. The last 22 years flying has been a > commercial ticket for LTA. However, lighter than air is heavy as hell > and my back is turning 58 next week! Have been considering trading the > balloon in for an ultra light/sport and the Kolb Mark III extra kind of > caught my eye. > > Haven't found the factory to be very responsive- although haven't tried > to get too much info from them. However, is there an owners group and > listing where I might find an owner near Allentown, PA? Would consider > trading some Kolb time for some balloon time. Is there a reliable > comparison of the Kolb's vs. competitive aircraft? How long have you > been flying a Kolb-- and your opinions?? You know all the normal stuff > one needs to know both pro/con > > Thanks for your time. > > Tom O'Hara ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 07:02:53 PM PST US From: jerb Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Challengers --> Kolb-List message posted by: jerb At 04:31 PM 10/14/04 +0100, you wrote: >--> Kolb-List message posted by: "PATRICK LADD" > > >Which brings me to the scare stories on this list about landing the Kolb. It >won`t flare, wheel it on, keep the speed up, take the flaps off etc., buy a >spare set of u/c legs, I bend the axles straight with a piece of water pipe` >was one quote. >Has anyone really looked at this? Is the problem real or imagined? All Kolbs >or some specific models? Sounds like fish or war stories. Who would raise the flaps while landing - the reason for using flaps is to add drag to permit a steeper approach without increasing speed and to reduce your landing (stall) speed - slower equates to less roll out and quicker deceleration thru the phase from touch down to slow taxi. It is a common occurrence for new Kolb pilots to bend a one or both gear legs early on by allowing the plane to get to slow as they round out thus resulting in it dropping in hard. Unless they are bent real bad they usually can be straighten out on a hydraulic press two or three times before being replaced. Been there done that. Deflates your pride as your taxi your crippled ship back to the hangar. The biggest problem with the new pilots is allowing it to get to slow as once you start bringing the nose up, Kolbs bleed speed off quite quickly. The gear on a FireStar at our field has been bent three times, once by the co-builder on the first flight, then by the owners instructor, then by owner himself. The all fell into the same trap that I had warned them about, don't get it to slow during the flare until their more familiar with the airplane. One they each had learned that lesson they had no further problems there after. jerb ________________________________ Message 13 ____________________________________ Time: 07:07:27 PM PST US From: GeoR38@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Sebring Sport Aviation Expo --> Kolb-List message posted by: GeoR38@aol.com In a message dated 10/14/2004 9:30:55 PM Eastern Standard Time, rswiderski@earthlink.net writes: Hey Duane, I won't be going to Sebring, but I'd sure like to. I'm 2 miles off I-75 so give me a call as you are passing by & maybe I could fix you up with a cup of coffee and a short break. 352-307-9009. ...Richard Swiderski -----Original Message----- From: owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of H MITCHELL Subject: Kolb-List: Sebring Sport Aviation Expo --> Kolb-List message posted by: "H MITCHELL" I am making plans to drive to Sebring on the 28th or 29th of Oct. 'Looks like it's going to be a major event. Hope to see George Randolph, Richard Swiderski, Beauford T., Steve Boetto et al while I am there. How's about it guys ? Duane the plane Mitchell, Tallahassee, FL, Mk3/912, 12 hrs Yo Duane....I won't be at Sebring , but I could be at Rich Swiderski's if I know when you would be wizzin by....Maybe we could shut down nother restaurant! It is always a pleasure to communicate with you ....ps...I belong to a Hangar Flyin organization down here at the Villages (just 12 miles south of Rich on 301, made more enjoyable by the presence of a buncha WWII members who have major major experiences to share. yer bud George Randolph do not archive ________________________________ Message 14 ____________________________________ Time: 07:26:32 PM PST US From: "Beauford" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Sebring Sport Aviation Expo --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Beauford" Duane et.al... Am definitely planning to be over there, but not before Saturday, 30 Oct... Had originally hoped for the 29th, but my accomplice had to delay his flight into Tampa by one day. I have no idea how the place is going to be laid-out over there, but will try to get some idea of it so that maybe we can arrange to meet somewhere at a certain time if the rest of you gents want to try and do that. BTW, there is an article about the EXPO on page 10 of the new Sport Pilot mag for October... Sez the event will be a significant "hands-on information source" to bring together all of the suppliers and customers interested in LSA and the Sport Pilot bit.... Sez also that, due to the unexpected demand, they have had to increase the EXPO exhibit spaces from 70 to 105, and that no less than His Excellency Lord Tom Poberezny himself is going to lead a reinforced gaggle of EAA royalty to the big event... Admission is to be $8 a day for EAA members, and $10 for non-member heathen... If the EAA gets its paws into this operation, I'm sure it won't take long for 'em to run it on up to the $25 a day we have all come to know and love at Lakeland.... and the place will come to be overrun with $200K airplanes and slick lookin' dudes in monogrammed polyester jump suits, gold chains and Porsche sunglasses... and they will hasten to remove all the water drinking fountains and open up numerous EAA stands selling $4 bottles of water and $5 hot dogs.... sigh.... Am I starting to sound a tad bitter...? naaaaah... couldn't be.... time to crawl back into my garbage can.... Beauford FF#076 Brandon, FL Do Not Archive ----- Original Message ----- Subject: RE: Kolb-List: Sebring Sport Aviation Expo > > --> Kolb-List message posted by: "H MITCHELL" > > I am making plans to drive to Sebring on the 28th or 29th of Oct. 'Looks > like it's going to be a major event. Hope to see George Randolph, Richard > Swiderski, Beauford T., Steve Boetto et al while I am there. How's about > it > guys ? > > Duane the plane Mitchell, Tallahassee, FL, Mk3/912, 12 hrs > > > ________________________________ Message 15 ____________________________________ Time: 08:13:27 PM PST US From: "Vic" Subject: Kolb-List: HAC Carb --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Vic" I need a compensation chamber for a HAC carburetor. Anyone have a chamber they are willing to sell? Vic ________________________________ Message 16 ____________________________________ Time: 08:18:08 PM PST US From: "Giovanni Day" Subject: RE: Kolb-List: Good Service --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Giovanni Day" I wish I knew you needed one of these. I have one almost new to sell. Giovanni MKIII/912 80566 Do not archive -----Original Message----- From: owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of David Paule Subject: Kolb-List: Good Service --> Kolb-List message posted by: "David Paule" I ordered a Matco tailwheel assembly, the T-6 model, through Chief Aircraft on Tuesday. I didn't request any special shipping. Today, Thursday, it arrived. These are drop-shipped from the factory in Utah. Great service! Dave Paule FS II Boulder, CO == direct advertising on the Matronics Forums. == == == ________________________________ Message 17 ____________________________________ Time: 09:05:15 PM PST US From: Ken korenek Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Powder Coating 6061-T6 Alum. --> Kolb-List message posted by: Ken korenek Howard, You have to specify powder coating paints that require lower cure temps. Most powder coatings are cured at 325-375F for 12-20 minutes, metal temperature. Actual oven temperature may need to be substantially higher to get the metal to temp in a reasonable amount of time and I'll bet that the temps vary from shop to shop. 6061-T6 has an ultimate tensile strength of 45,000 psi at 75 degrees F, 42,000 psi at 212 degrees F, 34,000 psi at 300 degrees F and goes down to 19,000 psi at 400 degrees F (roughly half...) (Source: Mil-Hdbk-5 & Metals Handbook, 2nd ed.) From a web site specializing in Powder coating (http://my.execpc.com/~davewrit/Powder.html): A metallurgist friend told me a few years ago that things like aluminum wheel spindles should not be powder coated. He explained that aluminum billet material (6061-T6 ?) changed crystal structure at a critical temperature around 410 degrees F (as I recall). The thrust was that the heating step would adversely affect the strength of the material. Non-structural components would be OK, but not something that "holds the spokes on". The metallurgist is correct. Products like wheel billets, scuba tanks, etc. can be powder coated, but only with powders which cure below peak metal temperature of 300 degrees F. The magic temperature is about 275F. The crystalline realignment at 400 degrees F causes the previous ductile aluminum to become brittle. Imagine the catastrophe when an 80 cu. ft. scuba tank explodes under 3000 psi pressure after an unauthorized powder coat (this actually happened). To my knowledge, all Aluminum wheels and other strength critical aluminum components are powder coated with these cooler curing powders. <> Heating Al alloys above this temperature causes a granular rearrangement of the metallurgical structure resulting in a significant change of bulk properties. The tensile strength of the metal is dramatically lowered, much like a stress relief anneal on a steel piece would do. The resultant metal is not as strong, nor will pressure vessels made of such treated aluminum (e.g., scuba tanks) hold near the pressure that they were originally rated for. Since wheels are essentially load-bearing structures, they should never be heated like this unless the alloy is known to tolerate it well. This lends itself to aluminum airplane parts as well- you might see what the cure temps were and then see if re-heat treating your boom tube and lift struts are possible. I think your worries are well founded. You should contact TNK and see what process they use. Further research is necessary before you fly 'em... Ken Korenek BSME UT Arlington, 1985 Vought Aircraft Industries Dallas, Tx. HShack@aol.com wrote: >--> Kolb-List message posted by: HShack@aol.com > >I have been advised by some "engineer-types" that powder coating [process] >weakens 6061-T6 Aluminum because of the heat. I had my lift struts & fuselage >boom tube powder coated before I found this out; been a little worried about it. > > > ________________________________ Message 18 ____________________________________ Time: 10:06:02 PM PST US From: "Denny Rowe" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Powder Coating 6061-T6 Alum. --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Denny Rowe" by: HShack@aol.com > > I have been advised by some "engineer-types" that powder coating [process] > weakens 6061-T6 Aluminum because of the heat. I had my lift struts & > fuselage > boom tube powder coated before I found this out; been a little worried > about it. > > Now, I read on TNK website that they offer powdercoating on their boom > tubes; > should I feel better???? > > Howard Shackleford > FS II > SC > > Howard, My Mk-3 has a powdercoated boom tube, fuselage, and aluminum struts. PowderCraft, the old Kolbs source for powdercoating did it all. Don't worry, be happy. Denny Rowe, Mk-3 N616DR, PA, 2SI 690L-70