Backpacker
You are quite correct in saying that the gilding sector has a lot of experience with composite structures, Unfortunatly almost no one from this sector has taken the step of getting the EASA145 approvals enable them to repair whole aircraft.
In terms of calendar life with composite structures the gliding industry has some experience but due to the nature of gliding the airframes don't do a lot of flying hours, this has to be contrasted with some water turbines ( the blades are about the size of a GA aircraft wing) that will operate underwater and have an expected fatigue life of 250,200 operating hours.
I would be interested to know the number hours that the highest time GRP glider has flown.
Last edited by A and C; 27th June 2012 at 07:50.