Microlighters

Towards the end of June when I had just finished training at a well known airfield ,I was asked to do an AP on an Aquilla Trike .
Before I had finished the trike I stopped "AP-ing " the plane ,as the Wing had failed the pressure test ( for those who do not know its the special tool that tests the Dacron ( wing cover / sail ).
I informed the owner that the wing cover was not acceptable and he would have to renew it before I could pass the plane.
Beleive it or not , today I had a phone call from another "ap" who requested that I have my sail tester checked as he tested the wing and found it to be serviceable . ????
Being on the way back from an AP in Marken - I gave the issue some thought and called the other person involved who agreed to meet me at the airfield by 16hoo .
I called two other APs who agreed to assist me with this issue and agreed to meet me at the airfield as well.
Needless to say 3 tests with 3 different tools and the wing didnt make the grade - Dacron has a life expectency of 10 years in the shade ! [/color]- This one failed dismilly once again!!!!!
I Duly wipped out my computer and sent the Friendly folks at CAA an interesting email requesting a withdrawal of the authority to fly and to flag the plane to ensure that it doesnt pass via the grapevine !!!
How stupid can you be ? to put your life at risk for a dodgy / condemmed sail cover ???
It makes one think - I hope it makes you all think!!!
Today I made a decision , should I do an AP and the plane fail , I will send CAA a note and a request to flag the plane to ensure that it is repaired before being released into service
LEPRACHAUN

Good call in my opinion. It amazes me however that firstly a person is willing to risk their lives and those of their pax due to incorrect maintenance and secondly that another AP would pass the aerie!

Tis a bit confusing

Leprachaun you did the correct thing.
The CAA should also remove the person involved from all future AP duties too!
When I was paragliding there was a certain school that used 'suspect' equipment without conscience.

Good call Leprachaun,

Us AP's need to stand together and be thorough on Annual Inspections - when we sign that document the responsibility transfers to us

Shocking story - Good call Lep

And then they ask questions why they had a structural failure and 2 people killed

Well done Lep. Great to see safety coming first.


Cheers,

Correct call Lep.

Not very clever .

The wierdest part here is, who do they think they are fooling? The AP, hell what is he going to do. In fact why even bother about getting the ATF is any case. Once you get into the air, then it's you, your plane and the conditions. Can't fool them, Try convince turbulance that since the AP signed it off, then it must be safe

I fear that some pilots fall into the trap of setting the ATF as a standard to be aimed for rather than it being the minimum required standard.

I commend Leprachaun (as opposed to Leprechaun Wiki:- In Irish mythology, a leprechaun (Irish: leipreachán) is a type of male faerie said to inhabit the island of Ireland. They usually take the form of old men who enjoy partaking in mischief. Their trade is that of a cobbler or shoemaker, but this has recently been dismissed as incorrect and their real profession is that of a tinker/AP) for doing the right thing and for blowing the whistle. Good on you and I would let you AP my machine anyday mate.

Ek is jammer for being ignorant in these matters, but I have much to learn. What exactly does a pressure test mean and if it fails what is likely to happen? Does the wing just collapse in flight or is there a high probability of the wing fabric tearing under air pressure? Ah hah! Have I just answered my own question?

Come on October, I need to move

Avdb

Uncle Spud Murphy wrote:Ek is jammer for being ignorant in these matters, but I have much to learn. What exactly does a pressure test mean and if it fails what is likely to happen? Does the wing just collapse in flight or is there a high probability of the wing fabric tearing under air pressure? Ah hah! Have I just answered my own question?

Come on October, I need to move

Avdb

The test, test's the viability of the fabric. UV degrades the fabric pretty much like a canvas tent. eventually the fabric tears easily. Not something you need at 1000ft, or even 100ft for that matter