Today's Message Index:
----------------------
1. 11:35 AM - Lightning Sport Update. (flylightning)
2. 11:48 AM - Re: Lightning Sport Update. (Jim Langley)
3. 04:39 PM - Re: Lightning Sport Update. (n5pb@AOL.COM)
4. 04:47 PM - Re: Lightning Sport Update. (Colin J. Kennedy)
5. 05:28 PM - Re: Lightning Sport Update. (Hollis Babb)
6. 06:11 PM - Re: Lightning Sport Update. (EAFerguson@AOL.COM)
7. 10:03 PM - Fw: Ground Safety (Johnny Thompson)
Message 1
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| Subject: | Lightning Sport Update. |
The Lightning Sport LS-1 has received an Experimental R&D certificate this
morning. This is allows the production prototype to be flown thru the
acceptance flight tests and prove the design to the ASTM standards. Final
SLSA inspection should take place next week and than off to Sun N Fun.
Will start Flight testing this afternoon.
Nick Otterback
Message 2
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| Subject: | Re: Lightning Sport Update. |
Congrats Nick. This is very exciting news!
You guys should be proud.
Go ahead; stick your chest out a little... You deserve it!
On Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 2:33 PM, flylightning <info@flylightning.net> wrote:
> The Lightning Sport LS-1 has received an Experimental R&D certificate
> this morning. This is allows the production prototype to be flown thru the
> acceptance flight tests and prove the design to the ASTM standards. Final
> SLSA inspection should take place next week and than off to Sun N Fun.
>
> Will start Flight testing this afternoon.
>
>
> Nick Otterback
>
> *
>
> *
>
>
Message 3
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| Subject: | Re: Lightning Sport Update. |
Congrats Nick and the Team!
Looking forward to seeing everyone at SNF.?
Bear
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Langley <pequeajim@gmail.com>
Sent: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 2:45 pm
Subject: Re: Lightning-List: Lightning Sport Update.
Congrats Nick.? This is very exciting news!
?
You guys should be proud.?
?
Go ahead; stick your chest out a little...? You deserve it!
On Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 2:33 PM, flylightning <info@flylightning.net> wrote:
The Lightning Sport LS-1 has received an Experimental R&D certificate this morning.
This is allows the production prototype to be flown thru the acceptance flight
tests and prove the design to the ASTM standards. Final SLSA inspection
should take place next week and than off to Sun N Fun.
Will start Flight testing this afternoon.
?
Nick Otterback
" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Lightning-List
ttp://forums.matronics.com
_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution
Message 4
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| Subject: | Lightning Sport Update. |
Nick,
The certification will be a fantastic achievement for the Arion team.
Way to go!
Colin K.
OK
Lightning # 52 under construction.
http://www.mykitlog.com/cojaken
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-lightning-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-lightning-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of
flylightning
Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 1:34 PM
Subject: Lightning-List: Lightning Sport Update.
The Lightning Sport LS-1 has received an Experimental R&D certificate
this
morning. This is allows the production prototype to be flown thru the
acceptance flight tests and prove the design to the ASTM standards.
Final
SLSA inspection should take place next week and than off to Sun N Fun.
Will start Flight testing this afternoon.
Nick Otterback
Message 5
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| Subject: | Re: Lightning Sport Update. |
Congrats!
Sent from my iPhone
Hollis Babb
256-506-2834
On Apr 8, 2009, at 1:33 PM, "flylightning" <info@flylightning.net>
wrote:
> The Lightning Sport LS-1 has received an Experimental R&D
> certificate this morning. This is allows the production prototype to
> be flown thru the acceptance flight tests and prove the design to
> the ASTM standards. Final SLSA inspection should take place next
> week and than off to Sun N Fun.
>
> Will start Flight testing this afternoon.
>
>
> Nick Otterback
>
>
Message 6
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| Subject: | Re: Lightning Sport Update. |
In a message dated 4/8/2009 2:36:07 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
info@flylightning.net writes:
The Lightning Sport LS-1 has received an Experimental R&D certificate this
morning. This is allows the production prototype to be flown thru the
acceptance flight tests and prove the design to the ASTM standards. Final SLSA
inspection should take place next week and than off to Sun N Fun.
Will start Flight testing this afternoon.
Nick Otterback
Congrats,
Earl Ferguson
**************Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make dinner for $10 or
less. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood00000001)
Message 7
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| Subject: | Fw: Ground Safety |
Thought I would report on an explosion in the right wing tank of my
lightning while I was dusting the dirt off the wing last Wednesday
Around 7:30 am I had my plane outside in the sun so I could do a final
polish of the newly painted cowling and also improve the appearance of
my year old paint on the remainder of the aircraft. I completed the
polishing about 8:30 am and moved the plane back into Greg's hanger
where I was going to reweigh it because of the new paint and new wing
tips. Last year I had defueled the aircraft and removed the wings so I
could install a new type on low fuel warning system that is independent
of the current fuel probes.NOTE: This is not required for safety, I just
do it to have something to do and being a retired military pilot (Army)
I am use to triple backup systems and lost of lights and switches. I
use the standard fuel probe with GRT, the fuel flow from GRT(which I
recommend for those who like to fly long distance/hours), and an
electronic optical system that will visually and audibly note when the
fuel take is down to 2 gallons in either tank, amount is set by
installer. We do have a 4th warning system for low fuel if all this
fails, the prop stops.
Around noon after the aircraft had set untouched for over three hours I
took a polishing rag I normally use to clean the canopy, 80% Polyester -
20% Polyamide, and started to dust off dirt that had settled onto the
wing from a wind storm we were having. I started outboard moving
inboard, as I touched the fuel cap (cap was installed and locked) the
tank exploded. The Dragon had spit fire. I felt and saw the top skin
rise, a 6 foot section of the top skin on the trailing edge split at the
glue joint and flames came out removing the hair on my arm and embedding
fiberglass in my glasses. As seconds passed I noted the fire was out and
then remembered it was defueled.
After a few seconds I composed myself and noted the top surface looked
fairly normal with only delimitation of a section of the top skin.
Underneath the wing the tank had ruptured outboard (can't see where
else) and the wing had numerous large tears and cracks around the tank
area.
This was an accident caused by static electricity. I have been in
aviation professionally for 40 years and know the danger of static
electricity and fuel vapors. I might have been able to prevent this by
having the aircraft grounded, using a rag of different materials,
properly removing all fumes from the tank, etc. Weather is also a major
factor. Fuel tanks are more prone to have an explosion when low or empty
of fuel.
I got off lucky. We can reduce the possibility of this happing to any of
us. I will review everything, I have found a possible static transfer
between the fuel cap and housing and will install a grounding cable
between the fuel cap and housing. This is a standard procedure used on
military and most civil aircraft and will reduce the danger. I inspected
my Velocity XL-5 and another aircraft having the same cap, neither has a
grounding cable. This is a very common fuel cap used by many builders
and types of aircraft for years and I have never heard of this happing
before. Before Installing I will follow all established procedures and
purge the tank with argon or other inert gas. If we just follow good
safety procedures this most likely would have never happened. An hour
later I met with Greg Hobbs at the aircraft and started checking for
signs of static buildup. He could not detect any static buildup so I
reached down to touch the wing an immediately noticed a static build up.
Greg put his arm near the wing and no sign of build up. Once again I
placed my arm near the wing, about 6 inches from Greg and we noted a
static build up between my arm and the wing surface (remaining hair
drawn toward the surface). ??????
A DEFUELED TANK IS A BOMB WITH THE SAFETY OFF.
I would like to add that the lightning is an excellent structurally
designed aircraft. I am positive that if I had this damage in flight
the aircraft integrity would remain sound and make a safe landing.
I want to thank Nick and Pete for helping me with replacement parts at a
very reasonable cost. Once again I see Arion going the extra mile to
take care of the lightning family even in these difficult financial
times. I have owned many aircraft in the past and Arion is at the top
in support and service.
I will follow up with any information I discover.
Johnny Thompson
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