Maintenance Issues
Hanger bracket failure
| Hanger bracket failure |
Front hanger bracket failure
Read a 2008 article (courtesy of LAA) about a Hanger Bracket failure on a Shadow. This triangular plate (F153) connects the front end of boom tube to the forward hangar tubes.
Worn boom attachments
| Worn wing attachments (1986 Shadow C-D). |
In February 2012, I was asked to do urgent repairs to a 1986 Shadow C-D. It had been grounded because of excessive movement in the wing-to-fuselage attachments. The tail end of the boom could be moved up and down about 45mm without affecting the fuselage. The boom tube was resting on the alloy gusset that ties the two rear hanger tubes together.
Worn boom holes (at rear hanger)
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Worn rear hanger sleeve (cf new sleeve at top)
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Ovalised holes in front hanger bracket
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You can see what kind of wear is possible on older Shadows, especially those built from kitsets. It would be worth checking your Shadow for any up/down movement of the boom (relative to the hanger tubes).
The actual repairs were very quick, with most of the labour absorbed in dismantling the wing’s centre section from the fuselage and removing the boom, followed later by re-assembly, covering and painting.
The actual repairs were very quick, with most of the labour absorbed in dismantling the wing’s centre section from the fuselage and removing the boom, followed later by re-assembly, covering and painting.
Bruce's other websites
Fly Micro - microlight aircraft build, restore, upgrade + repair
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SkyFreedom Aviation – Bruce is the New Zealand + Australia dealer for SKYLEADER microlight + light sport aircraft
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