The Junior ... inverted ... with no wings ... in the workshop.
Due to a build up of mud, ice and sheep shite, the Junior's wheel box has become damaged. Pete Startup has worked hard to completed the Annual CofA over the weekend and Sunday saw some helpers turn up to fix the Wheel box. Mark Courtney, Dave Weeks, James Hood, Will Bond and others.
In the other workshop, could be found Pete Warren and Paul Summers, who worked tirelessly to refurb the DG505 brakes. A big thanks to them!
Pete Startup said:
During the annual inspection on FZF, a gash about 8" long by 1/2" wide had been cut in the top of the wheelbox requiring a tedious glass fibre repair. This was undoubtedly caused by mud/water/ice/snow build up in the wheelbox which built up to a point where it ruptured the skin..
By dint of good fortune a piece of "speed tape" was left on top of the wheel box after a similar repair a couple of years ago which has prevented all the aformentioned c**p having filled the fuselage over several weeks.
The clearance around the wheel in the Junior is only about 5-6 mm so it doesn't take much mud to fill the gap.
Please use common sense when the field is like a rice paddy and at the very least ensure that the gliders are thoroughly washed at cease flying including the wheelboxes EVERY time they are flown.
Pete S
By dint of good fortune a piece of "speed tape" was left on top of the wheel box after a similar repair a couple of years ago which has prevented all the aformentioned c**p having filled the fuselage over several weeks.
The clearance around the wheel in the Junior is only about 5-6 mm so it doesn't take much mud to fill the gap.
Please use common sense when the field is like a rice paddy and at the very least ensure that the gliders are thoroughly washed at cease flying including the wheelboxes EVERY time they are flown.
Pete S
Andrew logan said:
Just a note to thank all those who helped in the workshop during the Annual Check on the Junior FZF
The wings have come up polished better than I have achieved for the last two years and the aircraft is now back in the hangar this evening. Although it is not servicable due to two issues which will be sorted by the weekend.
For those who do not know much about a glider under the skin and who hope to own a share in a glider it can be a rewarding experiance
Two aspects to note:
The wheel box had been damaged sometime recently by debris/stone getting up inside.
We are trialling some special PTFE tape under the front cockpit. The area has just been repainted, Pete has completely cleaned up the brake system but it still remains a poorly engineered arrangement. We hope to avoid the usual scratches. But heavier pilots can be excused braking heavily as a matter of routine
KHA next week! Best Regards ANDREW LOGAN
