At 04:45 PM 21/08/2010, you wrote:
I see this issue as a heads up to the need for developing and
fielding a glider FDR.
Technically that problem doesn't even rate as trivial. Hardest part
will be organising the power supply. Airspeed switch plus some sort
of internal battery back up when sailplane power isn't available.
Administratively it won't be any good until the airworthiness
authority accepts the record and agrees to use it to set fatigue life.
Certainly measuring some gliders would be good to see if the loading
spectrum that is used to set the fatigue life is realistic or whether
it is very conservative.
As for Blaniks, we've known since about 1978 that there was a fatigue
problem with Blaniks. They've been flown for over 30 years after
that. Surely everyone had to figure that the music would stop one
day. They were a really nice glider in 1956 when first flown and
comparable to many of the contemporary single seaters in performance.
Training in them now is like running a power flying school now with
Tiger Moths or J-3 cubs. Yes, it is done, usually offering
conversions or the antique nostalgia experience.
Mike
Borgelt Instruments - manufacturers of quality soaring instruments since 1978
phone Int'l + 61 746 355784
fax Int'l + 61 746 358796
cellphone Int'l + 61 428 355784
email: [email protected]
website: www.borgeltinstruments.com
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