by BarryL » Sun Mar 13, 2022 9:46 am
This has come up a couple of times in BGA Inspector refresher training.
After a wheel-up landing, it is tempting to lift the glider by its tail until there is enough clearance to drop the wheel down. You might get away with it most times, but there is a real danger that the cockpit sides will bulge and delaminate, or that the skin will split. This would result in an expensive repair. Or hidden damage.
The safe option is to get plenty of help and preferably some straps, and lift the glider bodily.
Alternatively, de-rig the glider on the field and get it onto its belly dolly. If it is going to need an inspection anyway, you might as well de-rig it on the field.
Barry L
This has come up a couple of times in BGA Inspector refresher training.
After a wheel-up landing, it is tempting to lift the glider by its tail until there is enough clearance to drop the wheel down. You might get away with it most times, but there is a real danger that the cockpit sides will bulge and delaminate, or that the skin will split. This would result in an expensive repair. Or hidden damage.
The safe option is to get plenty of help and preferably some straps, and lift the glider bodily.
Alternatively, de-rig the glider on the field and get it onto its belly dolly. If it is going to need an inspection anyway, you might as well de-rig it on the field.
Barry L