Blanik L13AC AD requiring Eddy Current and Hardness Testing

[[email protected]]

The Finger Lakes Soaring Club of Dansville, NY owns a Blanik L13AC. It is our main two place glider for teaching students.

The AD 2016-11-10, published on 6/3/2016, pertaining to Blanik L13AC Gliders refers to LET Mandatory Bulletin L13/085a. That bulletin requires eddy current testing and hardness testing on the far aft bulkhead. So far I have not been able to find any testing company interested in doing this testing..

Does any one in this group have any ideas about who does this type of testing?

Any help would be appreciated.

Charles Zabinski
FLSC Glider Maintenance

[Kevin Brooker]

Our club had this done for the AD on the L-13 which was issued 15(?) years ago. We found a testing facility by asking around on user groups for aircraft types and EAA chapters. If I recall, we found a guy on the short wing Piper club user forum. Some machine shops have them too and might run the test if you have an A&P there to sign it off. Read the AD carefully and see if there is a requirement for an FAA approved facility to do the test.

[firsys]

On Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 9:34:01 PM UTC-4, wrote:
> The Finger Lakes Soaring Club of Dansville, NY owns a Blanik L13AC. It is our main two place glider for teaching students.
>
> The AD 2016-11-10, published on 6/3/2016, pertaining to Blanik L13AC Gliders refers to LET Mandatory Bulletin L13/085a. That bulletin requires eddy current testing and hardness testing on the far aft bulkhead. So far I have not been able to find any testing company interested in doing this testing.
>
> Does any one in this group have any ideas about who does this type of testing?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Charles Zabinski
> FLSC Glider Maintenance

I have contacted a friend at the Natl Res. council of Canada who
is familiar with such testing; he is putting me in touch with someone
who can steer you to a certified facility.

However, this would be in Canada.

John Firth Ottawa

[[email protected]]

On Friday, June 10, 2016 at 8:43:08 AM UTC-4, Kevin Brooker wrote:
> Our club had this done for the AD on the L-13 which was issued 15(?)
> years ago. We found a testing facility by asking around on user groups
> for aircraft types and EAA chapters. If I recall, we found a guy on the
> short wing Piper club user forum. Some machine shops have them too and
> might run the test if you have an A&P there to sign it off. Read the AD
> carefully and see if there is a requirement for an FAA approved facility
> to do the test.
>
>
>
>
> --
> Kevin Brooker

Kevin,
Thanks for the EAA lead. Will try that path.
Chuck Zabinski

[[email protected]]

On Friday, June 10, 2016 at 3:32:46 PM UTC-4, firsys wrote:
> On Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 9:34:01 PM UTC-4, wrote:
> > The Finger Lakes Soaring Club of Dansville, NY owns a Blanik L13AC. It is our main two place glider for teaching students.
> >
> > The AD 2016-11-10, published on 6/3/2016, pertaining to Blanik L13AC Gliders refers to LET Mandatory Bulletin L13/085a. That bulletin requires eddy current testing and hardness testing on the far aft bulkhead. So far I have not been able to find any testing company interested in doing this testing.
> >
> > Does any one in this group have any ideas about who does this type of testing?
> >
> > Any help would be appreciated.
> >
> > Charles Zabinski
> > FLSC Glider Maintenance
>
> I have contacted a friend at the Natl Res. council of Canada who
> is familiar with such testing; he is putting me in touch with someone
> who can steer you to a certified facility.
>
> However, this would be in Canada.
>
> John Firth Ottawa

John Firth,
Thank you, any leads are appreciated.
Chuck Zabinski

[firsys]

On Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 9:34:01 PM UTC-4, wrote:
> The Finger Lakes Soaring Club of Dansville, NY owns a Blanik L13AC. It is our main two place glider for teaching students.
>
> The AD 2016-11-10, published on 6/3/2016, pertaining to Blanik L13AC Gliders refers to LET Mandatory Bulletin L13/085a. That bulletin requires eddy current testing and hardness testing on the far aft bulkhead. So far I have not been able to find any testing company interested in doing this testing.
>
> Does any one in this group have any ideas about who does this type of testing?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Charles Zabinski
> FLSC Glider Maintenance

Here is the lead I have found.
JMF





Terry Parrish



Sun Down Inspections Inc.

Office 613-256-2269

C 613-868-4372

698 Corkery Rd.

Carp Ontario

K0A 1L0

[[email protected]]

I did find a company interested in doing the testing but they were in Marietta, Georgia. With travel expenses, I got a quote of $3,961 + to do the testing. I'm still surfing the net to find someone in our area at a reasonable price.

Thanks to our Canadian friend for the lead but they are too far away also.

There are 14 Blanik L13AC Sailplanes registered in the USA. What are you guys doing about the AD and required Eddy Current and Hardness testing?

Chuck Zabinski



On Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 9:34:01 PM UTC-4, wrote:
> The Finger Lakes Soaring Club of Dansville, NY owns a Blanik L13AC. It is our main two place glider for teaching students.
>
> The AD 2016-11-10, published on 6/3/2016, pertaining to Blanik L13AC Gliders refers to LET Mandatory Bulletin L13/085a. That bulletin requires eddy current testing and hardness testing on the far aft bulkhead. So far I have not been able to find any testing company interested in doing this testing.
>
> Does any one in this group have any ideas about who does this type of testing?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Charles Zabinski
> FLSC Glider Maintenance

[[email protected]]

Have you looked into the cost associated with simply buying a hardness tester and an eddy current tester? I don't know the specific requirements, but a quick search on eBay shows a number of both at fairly reasonable prices. No reason why you couldn't put them back on eBay after you are done and recoup most of your investment.

[Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot)]

Possibly stupid question on my part........ say you have the correct tools, do you need to be trained/certified to announce the results of using those tools?
My guess is "YES".........,

[[email protected]]

Using a hardness tester is quite simple. It may require that an A&P needs to witness the test, but using the tester will not be an issue as long as you can pisition the tester on the part (no funky geometry).

The internet is a wealth of information. Maybe try youtube and see what you find on the eddy current testing process. It may not be that hard to determine that testing these parts is not that hard and then you've aquired a valuable skill ad well.

[firsys]

On Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 9:34:01 PM UTC-4, wrote:
> The Finger Lakes Soaring Club of Dansville, NY owns a Blanik L13AC. It is our main two place glider for teaching students.
>
> The AD 2016-11-10, published on 6/3/2016, pertaining to Blanik L13AC Gliders refers to LET Mandatory Bulletin L13/085a. That bulletin requires eddy current testing and hardness testing on the far aft bulkhead. So far I have not been able to find any testing company interested in doing this testing.
>
> Does any one in this group have any ideas about who does this type of testing?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Charles Zabinski
> FLSC Glider Maintenance

Finding a facility closer than Ottawa ( 300km approx) is going
to be difficult. But you might contact the Canadian Warplane heritage group in Hamilton; they must have equipment and skills.

JMF

[Dan Marotta]

What's that, a 3 hour drive?


On 6/18/2016 7:20 AM, firsys wrote:
> Finding a facility closer than Ottawa ( 300km approx) is going
> to be difficult.

--
Dan, 5J

[Per Carlin]

Both hardness and Eddy current testers should be avaliable at the closest foundry or steel plant.
Weld shops can have Eddy Current testers, but most likely not hardness testers.

[[email protected]]

Found a company, nearby in Buffalo, NY, willing to do the testing. In the process of getting a quote. Will report back on outcome.

Charles Zabinski
FLSC Glider Maintenance

[[email protected]]

Found a company in Buffalo, NY that will work with us on the required eddy curent and hardness testing. Presently working with them regarding testing and travel costs. Will report back on outcome.

Charles Zabinski
FLSC Glider Maintenance

[[email protected]]

Found a company in Buffalo, NY willing to work with us on the required testing. They have both eddy current and hardness testers. Presently getting testing and travel costs from them and will report back on outcome.

Charles Zabinski
FLSC Glider Mainteneance

[[email protected]]

On Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 8:25:12 AM UTC-4, Per Carlin wrote:
> Both hardness and Eddy current testers should be avaliable at the closest foundry or steel plant.
> Weld shops can have Eddy Current testers, but most likely not hardness testers.

We found a testing company in Buffalo, NY willing to work with us on the required testing. They have both eddy current and hardness testers. Presently getting quotes for the testing and travel time. Will report back on outcome. Our A&P/IA wants to be present for the testing if he is to sign off that the testing was done.

Charles Zabinski
FLSC Glider Maintenance

[Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot)]

Dude, please delete "duplicate posts".
Then, I'll delete mine.......

[Paul Agnew]

http://a4andtforum.com/

Sept 27-29 San Diego - Non-Destructive Testing Forum

If anyone is in the area, it might be a good place to grab business cards and network to find who is doing the type of testing being discussed here.

Cheers!

Paul A.
Jupiter, FL

[[email protected]]

We are presently trying to find NDT testing companies to do the tests and/or trying to rent the equipment to do the testing.

Buying the test equipment would cost about $6,000.

Charles Zabinski

[[email protected]]

On Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 8:34:01 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> The Finger Lakes Soaring Club of Dansville, NY owns a Blanik L13AC. It is our main two place glider for teaching students.
>
> The AD 2016-11-10, published on 6/3/2016, pertaining to Blanik L13AC Gliders refers to LET Mandatory Bulletin L13/085a. That bulletin requires eddy current testing and hardness testing on the far aft bulkhead. So far I have not been able to find any testing company interested in doing this testing.
>
> Does any one in this group have any ideas about who does this type of testing?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Charles Zabinski
> FLSC Glider Maintenance

Have you looked into any of the 145 repair stations in your area. I know Haeco in Greensboro, AAR in INDY and ATS in Kansas city would all be very capable of inspecting these and providing appropriate paperwork.

Joe G

[2G]

On Thursday, July 28, 2016 at 1:25:51 PM UTC-7, wrote:
> On Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 8:34:01 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> > The Finger Lakes Soaring Club of Dansville, NY owns a Blanik L13AC. It is our main two place glider for teaching students.
> >
> > The AD 2016-11-10, published on 6/3/2016, pertaining to Blanik L13AC Gliders refers to LET Mandatory Bulletin L13/085a. That bulletin requires eddy current testing and hardness testing on the far aft bulkhead. So far I have not been able to find any testing company interested in doing this testing.
> >
> > Does any one in this group have any ideas about who does this type of testing?
> >
> > Any help would be appreciated.
> >
> > Charles Zabinski
> > FLSC Glider Maintenance
>
> Have you looked into any of the 145 repair stations in your area. I know Haeco in Greensboro, AAR in INDY and ATS in Kansas city would all be very capable of inspecting these and providing appropriate paperwork.
>
> Joe G

Here is the MIL-STD (Military Standard) for eddy current electrical conductivity testing:

http://www.aero.ing.unlp.edu.ar/catedras/archivos/MIL-STD-1537C%20(1).pdf

This may help your A&P understand the test procedure.

Tom

[[email protected]]

After many fruitless contacts the required Eddy Current Testing was accomplished on our Blanik L13AC by renting a Verimation M4900C Eddy Current Tester from NDT Supply of Farmington Michigan. The tester is very easy to use and reads directly in the required %IACS (% International Annealed Copper Standard). Our Blanik tested within the required specification. Our A&P/IA witnessed the testing.

The rental cost by week is $475. An 30% IACS Aluminum Standard costs $290. The tester was supplied with a new calibration documentation sheets for the tester and the aluminum standard. The test takes about 5 minutes.

We could not find any companies with the required Eddy Current Testers that were interested in doing the testing probably because of the small amount of revenue (to them) involved.

Charles Zabinski
FLSC Glider Maintenance