Cosmetics, gadgets and other changes to planes!

[Bennie Vorster]

Obviously not all of us have the money to buy a state of the art plane and sometimes we have just enough to fly a broomstick, so we paint them, add a fairing maybe add spats. When do we call it a structural change and when is it just cosmetic ? How do we go about getting approval from CAA and when is it necessary? I have add a fairing and made myself a spoiler to change my broomstick into a Windlass XLE but now I am to scared to fit the spoiler and I'm still flying a broomstick XL.

[Aerosan]

Fit it and dont ask to many questions

[Cloud Warrior]

Why not just give the CAA a ring and ask them? I am sure they will point you in the right direction. And if it takes a bit of time and effort to resolve then remember that those policies and procedures have been put in place to reduce the risk to yourself and everyone else. I sure as hell would like to know whether a mod I made to my plane did not affect the safety thereof.

I might be wrong but the way I understood it was that should you make any change to the equipment list of the aircraft - you would have to get CAA approval. So when I went from a three blade russki piece of plastic #%#%%! to my beautiful wooden P Prop - the CAA had to be informed. Wasn't a hassle - my AP signed off on everything and we sent it off to the CAA via Van Zyls.

[GR8-DAD]

Bennie, CW is right, safety first and no regrets later. Also anything that affects the weight of the a/c is important. Weight and balance must be done again (for 3 -axis, not sure about trikes).

[IFLYHI]

A fairing and spoiler changes the aerodynamics of the plane then it has to be approved

[Morph]

yip,

anything that changes the flight dynamics, or weight and balance of a plane needs to be reported and new weight and balance details submitted. Bigger or smaller wings, changes to fairings etc. Adding instruments etc just needs to be logged in the log book, a copy of which you will send to CAA at the next application for Authority to Fly.

It's not really a problem, just get the AP to sign it and submit it.

If you change your prop you have to send a new noise certificate as well.

[Junkie]

A few here have done this to their windlasses in the past, Some had an exciting time of it...

Put some picis on so we can see what the fairing & "spoiler" looks like

[Bennie Vorster]

I'll post some picks soon, now for the next Question. Will fabric paint weaken the material of the wing or shorten it's life if you paint on the wing and do you need to let CAA know about it?

[Bennie Vorster]

[Junkie]

First impression... DARTH VADER ?

Is this a Trike Keel spoiler or a pylon fairing (like aquila) - looks very nicely made...
if Trike keel i assume it will merge into the fairing (pod) up front -
how about a pici of the trike, Fairing and spoiler fitted so we can get better idea of the finished product

... definately wouldnt paint sail fabric - but consult with Jenya or Aiden on that in any case

[Bennie Vorster]

First impression... DARTH VADER ?

a pylon fairing (like aquila)

I'll fit it tomorow and tace a pick.

[Bennie Vorster]

Done, not flown yet.

[Junkie]

Cant figure any possible side effects fitting the faring .. nice work lad

[Arnulf]

Jislaaik Bennie, jy weet nie hoe verlig ek nou is. Toe jy die thread oopmaak het ek gewonder of jou modifications nie dalk 'n lemoen op die aerial, en 'n furry dashboard is .

Nou vertel ons gou, is daai fairing van ally, of van fibreglas?

B t w ek het nooi besef 'n mens kry 'n Windlass met so 'n snazzy pod. Hy lyk goed.

Groete,
Arnulf

[Bennie Vorster]

Yet another excelent mod:

http://microlighters.co.za/viewtopic.ph ... ght=#12344

http://microlighters.co.za/viewtopic.ph ... ght=#13706