Thanks Stephen. Thorough as usual are you. 

Chris

From: [email protected] 
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2015 4:18 PM
To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. 
Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Wing frequency Procedure

>From the old MOSP 50. Section 3 on Form 2s 


============================================  

3-2-2

(3) Wing Frequency Check

All new sailplanes delivered now have stated in their airworthiness 
documentation the natural vibrational frequency of at least the wings.

We all know that a drinking glass will “ring” when tapped, but if it is cracked 
it will be “dead”. Similarly our sailplane structure will respond to internal 
damage, loos wing root fittings etc by changing the frequency at which it wants 
to vibrate. 

Clearly it will be important to KNOW the frequency of the structure when new 
and keep track of any natural lowering of this value with age such that a 
sudden change can be detected and become meaningful. 



WHEN:

At each Form 2 and after any air load or ground load incident particularly 
heavy landings and ground loops.

HOW:

With the sailplane sitting on its undercarriage, tyres at correct pressure, on 
a paved surface, empty, wings level, gently grasp one wing tip and shake it up 
and down. The wing will flex at a steady rate. It will find its own frequency 
and it is next to impossible for you to change it. Using a suitable watch, time 
the natural frequency, a complete cycle being UP and DOWN. This value should 
then be compared to what was found last time or what is specified for that 
sailplane.



As a guide only, some typical values:-

F.R.P ……    135 cycles per minute

Wood  ……    180 cycles per minute

Metal  ……    192 cycles per minute



Remember -  excessive heaving and shoving at the wing tip can be quite 
damaging. 

============================================

Regards

SWK



  ----- Original Message -----
  From:
  "Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia." 
<[email protected]>

  To:
  "Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia." 
<[email protected]>

  Cc:

  Sent:
  Tue, 1 Dec 2015 15:15:48 +1100

  Subject:
  Re: [Aus-soaring] Wing frequency Procedure


  >>a document on how the GFA would like it performed

  Doesn't this vary from manufacturer to manufacturer? Some allow wing
  frequency checks while on the wheel while others require the fuselage
  to be in a cradle or similar. My guess is that the GFA would say
  'follow the manufacturer's recommendations'.

  Here's one they prepared earlier:

  Wing oscillation frequency:
  approx. 160/min 15 m span with winglets
  approx. 130/min: 18 m span without parting
  approx. 124/min: 18 m span with parting and winglets

  Aircraft should rest on both wheels during frequency measurements.

  I think the last part is critical for each manufacturer.

  D
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