Zero Timing an Old Airframe.
Zero Timing an Old Airframe.
Many old classic airframes that are long out of production, and with the passage of time the numbers of them are falling due to corrision, or hrs mandated retirement.
Can an airframe, and we're talking about a typical non presurised airframe, that may have been retired at x numbe of hrs due to an AD that mandates a retirement after a certain TTIS is reached. Can it be rebuilt, new spar, wing box carrythru structure etc so that casa would start its life again with zero hrs.
Can an airframe, and we're talking about a typical non presurised airframe, that may have been retired at x numbe of hrs due to an AD that mandates a retirement after a certain TTIS is reached. Can it be rebuilt, new spar, wing box carrythru structure etc so that casa would start its life again with zero hrs.
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Permanently lost
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Twin Commander Corporation in the United States did exactly that with Aero Commander airframes, both piston and turbine. However, the corporation went bankrupt.
In their case it was a complete strip down and rebuild with new spars, wiring, avionics, the lot. The FAA recognised it by issuing new plates for the airframe with zero hours.
I remember looking at their web site and the lengths they went to and being very impressed. However, it was also very expensive and not many people want that type of aircraft today, despite what you hear about Chieftains and 402s etc.
However, I don't think anyone else has tried it with any other airframes.
In their case it was a complete strip down and rebuild with new spars, wiring, avionics, the lot. The FAA recognised it by issuing new plates for the airframe with zero hours.
I remember looking at their web site and the lengths they went to and being very impressed. However, it was also very expensive and not many people want that type of aircraft today, despite what you hear about Chieftains and 402s etc.
However, I don't think anyone else has tried it with any other airframes.
I've often wondered if there was a market for buying the rights to an out of production airframe, such as PA31 or C441, and building new models on demand... same airframe/engine, but newer avionics and interior, with possible sound/performance improvements (e.g. standard Chieftain with vortex kit)
Any truth to the idea that Cessna stopped building the Conquest because it killed their jet sales?
Any truth to the idea that Cessna stopped building the Conquest because it killed their jet sales?
Sprucegoose
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Hughes Point, where life is great! Was also resident on page 13, but now I'm lost in Cyberspace....
Age: 59
Posts: 3,485
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
I've often wondered if there was a market for buying the rights to an out of production airframe, such as PA31 or C441, and building new models on demand...
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Alice Springs
Posts: 1,744
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes
The PA32 is now limited by CASA to 11,000 hours, unless the wing spars are replaced, and a modification done to the carry through box.
Piper state that the spars should be inspected at 70,000 hours (yes seventy thousand), and there is an inspection scheme for that. CASA will not accept the Piper inspection scheme either.
So, re-sparring PA32 wings may be viable. But it is only required in Australia.
Piper state that the spars should be inspected at 70,000 hours (yes seventy thousand), and there is an inspection scheme for that. CASA will not accept the Piper inspection scheme either.
So, re-sparring PA32 wings may be viable. But it is only required in Australia.
The Twin Commander Corporation in the United States did exactly that with Aero Commander airframes
Any truth to the idea that Cessna stopped building the Conquest because it killed their jet sales?
Twin Commander Corporation in the United States did exactly that with Aero Commander airframes, both piston and turbine. However, the corporation went bankrupt
Still around and one of the classics.
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: NZWN New Zealand
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think Gruman did something like that with the old HU-16 Albatross amphibians to turn them into the G-111 commuter.
I know that the 727 had an AD a few years back for drilling out all the steel rivets in their fuselages and re-riveting them. The engine mounts also had to be re-newed under another AD. Effectively only the VIP or freighter 727s could justify the expense.
I know that the 727 had an AD a few years back for drilling out all the steel rivets in their fuselages and re-riveting them. The engine mounts also had to be re-newed under another AD. Effectively only the VIP or freighter 727s could justify the expense.
There is a place doing this to old Merlins i believe in the states. http://www.m7aerospace.com/page/fact...hed_merlin.jspAlso there's this mod to convair that i think extends the life greatly if not from a clean slate state. http://www.flightcraft.ca/maintenance_mods_stretch.asp
