Microlighters

I have a problem. The Challie has wing socks not a stits wing. The sail cloth has Mylar covering which is now starting to peel off. Flying at the southern tip of the Paardeberg on Saturday the stuff decided to separate from the underside of my wing. Needless to say I nearly parked a putty and would have become a real skidmark! I know that this is just a covering and does not interfere with the integrity of the wing. Trouble is it looks kak and when you actually feel the fabric it feels mighty thin to me. I have a few options. Pull all this plastic gunk off and carry on as is. Strip the wings and import new wing covers at $1250.00. Give it to somebody local and let them make me new socks. The name Jenya has been mentioned. Or cock the socks and go stits, which is quite a big mod to the actual structure of the wing. Need more ribs and the batons have to be attached to the leading edge. Unlike the socks which are very much like a trike they slip into a pocket then riveted at the other end. If anyone out there has a new set of socks they would be willing to part with please pm me.

Skidmark

I have excellent advice, just sell the bloody thing its not worth all the trouble.





to me






regards
Sukkelaar

Nah can't do that. I enjoy it too much. But if you got the money.........

Take them off - send them to Jenya and let him make you new covers. 0828538239

Stephan van Tonder wrote:Take them off - send them to Jenya and let him make you new covers. 0828538239

Good Advice this

Got a price from Quadcity in the States. $1295.00 for new sail covers. $144.00 to freight to Cape Town. Money up front. 6 weeks to manufacture no stock avilable. Called Jenya last week. He asked me to send him an email with a picture of my plane. Which I did. Have not heard a word from him since. Even spoke to Rainbow Aircraft. They replied in two days and said they needed to consult their engineers. Haven't heard a word from them either. Think I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. Might stay with the agents On closer inspection the fabric is also starting to wear on the ribs. The manufacturer of Challenger Quadcity reckon that when the Mylar comes off stop flying get new sails. I'm told by them not to get the new ones with the Mylar covering and that the new fabric is thicker. If I want I can coat with a clear polyurethane with a UV stabiliser. To convert to stits is far more expensive and requires a huge mod to the structure of the wing. Again I would have to get all the bits a pieces from them which is closer to $2000.00. Thats with out the fabric, dope(mek,glue etc) and paint.

Jenya is a fantastic guy for doing the work. He is not good with people or comms so just call him again - don't wait for him to call back. I know he is also quite busy currently.

The only thing that does concern me with the Challie sock is, the tip is stits/polyfibre and is part of the sock. Which you glue and iron on paint etc. It appears that this is sewn onto the fabric of the sail then on assembly you do the glueing etc. but it's worth an investigation locally. I have emailed him again.

New sails should be in Cape Town tomorrow. Just got to clear customs and pay the vat. That took two weeks. Guess what I'm doing this weekend?!!!

Where did you get the new sails from? and did Jenya get back to you or not.

Regards

Sukkelaar

good one skidmark

Sukkelaar wrote:Where did you get the new sails from? and did Jenya get back to you or not.

Regards

Sukkelaar

Nope he ordered them straight from the factory, out of production on those covers for over 10 years, and they had them ready within a week, with his colour choice, brilliant service. This is for a kit that was manufactured at the factory in 1990. 19 years later and they are still supporting their product.

Pity that in tough times like these our aviation suppliers are laxy daisy and not doing there utmost to get customers and keep them.

Regards

Sukkelaar

I personally would like to be careful how we knock our local suppliers. My kit was made in the States in 1990 but only built here in 1996. Nonetheless, I only had great support from Quad City Ultralight Corp in the States. I looked at all the options they offered me. I could have converted to a Stits wing financially I could not have done it right now. I was advised which sails to order and what to do. Yes I am disappointed with the lack of interest locally but I did what I had to do.....GET BACK INTO THE AIR ASAP! Now I just need a couple of good mates to help me remove the wings and get cracking

Sukkelaar ou pel; jy het my dag gemaak!
Its been a while since I have had such a good chuckle.
'n boer maak 'n plan as jy nie weet hoe om dit te spel nie, maak dit sommer op

Sukkelaar wrote: laxy daisy

As a matter of interest only.. its lackadaisical...

Adjective
lackadaisical (comparative more lackadaisical, superlative most lackadaisical)
Showing no interest or enthusiasm.
the lackadaisical look on his face
Synonyms
(showing no interest or enthusiasm): languid, listless, unenthusiastic, uninterested

Mooi man!


Len