PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Why does the PA-38 Tomahawk have a wing life of 11,000 hours?
Old 11th Dec 2011, 22:40
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Jim59
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Even gliders have airframe lives.

A Discus is initially 6,000 hrs, an inspection at that point raises it to 9,000. Further inspections at 10,000 and 11,000 hrs and then buy a new one at 12,000 hrs. That's a plastic airframe - mainly carbon.

Most Blaniks are now grounded (metal airframe) if over something like 3000 hours due fatigue problems in main spar. A mod exists to extend life - but costs more than the gliders are worth.
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