Not sure why it was cut off ? Lee might have the answer , but you can go to the old Forum site and the AD's are there .
RB
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| Items to check on a pre-buy http://thorp18.com/thorpforum/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=7443 |
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| Author: | WISC [ Thu Oct 24, 2013 9:00 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Items to check on a pre-buy |
Gentlemen What items should be checked on a pre-buy? There must be some Thorp specific concerns. I have found the lists below on this forum but they appear to be missing some items due to one thread mentioning 5 items but only three are listed. I appreciate any help. Note: This is a reprint from ThorpList edited by Richard Eklund. The first 5 of these are flight critical and are mandatory! Without the mods in 1-4, the tail can flutter even at low speeds. See Newsletter 27 for complete info on tail flutter. 1. Check stabilator tabs for installation of .015 stainless steel strip (reduces flutter). DWG A-517. This mod is crucial. 2. Extra spar tube inside the horz stabilizer main spar. Probe with a thin rod and you should find the end of the inner tube extending xx inches from the centerline. Also, drill out 1 rivet on the lower side and check the metal thickness. The total thickness at the inner tube should be 0.025 skin + 0.049 outer tube wall + (.120-.049= .071) = .145 Total 3. If the stabilator does not have external ***something obviously got cut off* This list below I included for reference. I am looking for the Thorplist, seems like a good piece of information. • Look for wing skin creases on either side (fore and aft) of the main spar. Creases are evidence of excessive g-loads, usually due to high-speed pull-ups. • Check the nose rib rivets for looseness or evidence of working loose. The original plans called for 12 rivets on the upper surface of the nose ribs and 12 on the lower surface. A number of builders later found that these rivets were overloaded and would work themselves loose. Thorp later revised his plans to add additional rivets. DWG A-??? • Check for cracks in the landing gear A-frame, particularly where the cross-member is welded to the gear legs. Also, some aircraft have been found w/o heat-treated landing gear. These can be retrofitted with the gear-leg extensions from Classic Sport Aircraft. • Check for the rudder pedals hitting on the fuel tank. • Check for chafing on the fuel tank. At least one builder found his tank worn thin where something was rubbing. • Check for stall strips on the original T-18 wing. |
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| Author: | Rich Brazell [ Thu Oct 24, 2013 10:30 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Items to check on a pre-buy |
Not sure why it was cut off ? Lee might have the answer , but you can go to the old Forum site and the AD's are there . RB
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| Author: | bfinney [ Thu Oct 24, 2013 10:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Items to check on a pre-buy |
At thorp18.com main page in the features box on the left side, select the "T-18 SDR List" link, has a complete description. |
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| Author: | WISC [ Fri Oct 25, 2013 4:33 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Items to check on a pre-buy |
Thanks guys. I'll give it a shot. |
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| Author: | stug [ Fri Oct 25, 2013 5:15 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Items to check on a pre-buy |
I think item # 3 is likely to be about the external bullet weights or leading edge internal ones. |
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| Author: | leewwalton [ Fri Oct 25, 2013 10:01 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Items to check on a pre-buy |
Look for creases or wrinkles in the wing skins for and aft of the main spar. Creases are evidence of possible high G - Loads. (Note: Many T-18's have these wrinkles. It is due, in part, to the lack of a compression member other than the skin between the front and aft ribs. This along with "working rivets", is not always an indicator of over "G". Severe wrinkles with signs of spar web deformation are cause for concern.) Check the nose rib rivets for looseness, or evidence of them working loose. The original drawings call for 12 rivets per nose rib on the upper and lower wing surface. John Thorp revised the drawings and added additional rivets. (Refer to item# 2 in the Other Revisions above) Check the aileron hinge area for evidence of cracking. Check that the hinges are not excessively worn and that the hinge pins are safety wired in place. Check for cracks in the landing gear A-Frame, particularly where the cross member is welded to the gear legs. Be aware that some completed Thorps have been found with landing gears that have not been heat treated. This is a dangerous condition that would need corrected immediately. Check the rudder pedals and brakes hitting on the fuel tank supports. Some builders have found it difficult to apply the brake with full right rudder deflection. There are some modifications that deal with this problem. ( refer to Other Revisions Item# 7) Check for chafing on the fuel tank. At least one builder found his tank worn thin where something was rubbing. Check for the aileron counter balance weights hitting the underside of the wingtip, on any of the wingtip fasteners, or wing skin. If interference is found then appropriate action to remedy the problem is in order. Check the bolts and rudder fittings where the rudder cables attach at the rudder. Normal wear can cause these to become dangerously thin. First you need to insure that the first four of the Mandatory SDR's listed above are complied with. Next check the horizontal tail assembly for bushing wear. Holding the stabilator at the tip, move it both vertically and horizontally paying attention to the amount of movement present. If there is more that 3/16" or so movement then the bushings will likely need replaced. The anti-servo tab should also be checked for looseness .. holding the stabilator solid, the anti-servo tabs should not have excess slop or movement. Slop in the anti-servo tabs can occur due to wear in the jackscrew assembly which is responsible for pitch trim. Any slop in the tail assembly is cause for concern. The condition must be investigated and remedied. Check the rudder attach points and the pivot bushing for excessive wear. If the bushings are worn they will need replaced. Check the stabilator push pull tube, its attach hardware, and the bushings. If any of these show looseness or wear, correct the problem. Check the walking beam, its mounting hardware, and the bushings for wear. There should be little free play in the stick sockets and none in the push rod connection points for the ailerons and stabilator. Insure that the stick travel limit stops are in place and adjusted properly. Some builders have drilled a hole in the stick tube just above the stick socket to route the trim and/or push to talk switch wiring. This has found to be a high stress area and the stick tube can crack and break at this point. Inspect this area and if cracks are found the stick tube must be replaced. It has been found that it is preferable to drill the hole in the bottom of the machined stick socket for the wire routing. If you must route the wiring through the stick tube the hole must be much higher up the tube (like maybe 6" above the socket). Check the rudder pedal attach points and the rudder cable attachment to the pedals. If the rudder cables are center mounted then insure that they are not rubbing anywhere on the tunnel. Sometimes builders run wiring through the tunnel .. if this is so then also insure that the rudder cables are not chafing on any wires. Check the flaps, mounting hardware, and pivot bushings for wear. If there is excess play in the bushings then they will need replaced. Check the flap cables and their attachment. If the airplane has manual flaps then check the flap handle and detent for proper operation and excessive wear. The tail wheel is an item of major concern. There have been accidents during takeoff and landing caused by loss of directional control. This is usually due to the tail wheel locking mechanism being excessively worn, causing the assemble not to lock at all. When this happens you essentially have a full swiveling tail wheel, which does not work to well on the Thorp. No matter what brand of tail wheel is on the airplane inspect it thoroughly and if anything doesn't look or feel right …. fix it !! The Maule type tail wheel has had a couple of cases where the fork assembly has broken off completely. Inspect the Maule fork assembly for cracks and look for anything that just doesn't look right. Recently Lyle Trusty designed a new round tapered rod tail spring for the Thorp. This spring is a little longer and has a rebound rate that more closely matched the main gear. Lyle's design uses a modified Scott tail wheel assemble, but several other brands are being used as well. The new spring design can be retrofitted to existing Thorps. |
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| Author: | dickwolff [ Fri Oct 25, 2013 11:09 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Items to check on a pre-buy |
Lee - the hole in the stick for wiring - this pertains only to aluminum sticks, correct? |
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| Author: | Lou [ Fri Oct 25, 2013 12:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Items to check on a pre-buy |
I saw an article about a Pitt’s stick breaking off at a crack through the wiring hole. The Pitt’s uses a welded Cromoly job. |
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| Author: | leewwalton [ Fri Oct 25, 2013 1:03 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Items to check on a pre-buy |
Dick, it applies to both but the warning is just a reminder to check for cracks ... the vast majority of Thorps have wires coming through the stick. |
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| Author: | fytrplt [ Fri Oct 25, 2013 8:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Items to check on a pre-buy |
One of the Pitts sticks that had a problem was 4130, however, the stick was chrome plated and was not baked to take care of the ensuing hydrogen embrittlement. If you must chrome anything on an airplane, make sure the plater can meet mil spec criteria. |
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| Author: | ljkrume [ Thu Oct 31, 2013 1:25 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Items to check on a pre-buy |
Most T-18s have also a doubler on side of the fuselage just above the main spar. It helps take up wing loads into the fuselage. Lee mentioned checking for wrinkles in that area because it's a stress point. Happy hunting! Les Krumel, Albuquerque |
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