Yes we believe AC43 is the primary reference source. We researched the history of the aircraft with her previous owner and no mention was made of a strike Blackhand. He's a good guy so I'll check and find out more. The history of aircraft are always such a fascinating story. She has though gone through an extensive rebuild and other major work since the 2000s and is looking sweet now.
Ultralights suggestion of copying the general structures practice chapter of a 747 manual sounds like a move in the right direction but it begs the questions of :
a) do any other single pistons actually have a Structural Repair Manual?
(that's the information this thread is trying to find out)
b) in Australia or New Zealand do regulators request this of other operators?
Last edited by weloveseaplanes; 7th Mar 2012 at 05:20.