Discus 2, Ventus 2 Technical Note/AD

[Chris OCallaghan]

There is a technical note dated 9/23/2003 (LBA) regarding fixing of
mass balance weights to the elevator of the following models and SNs:

V2: 1, 2, 31, 32, 48, 54, 71, 117, 124-151, 153

D2: 1-185, 187-189

D2T: 1-33

See the S-H website for details.
http://www.schempp-hirth.com/en/index.html

Summary: A Discus 2T was observed to have elevator friction during
pre-flight inspection. Removal of elevator revealed a lead weight had
detached from elevator. TN requires drilling of inspection holes prior
to next flight. If lead weights are observed to be loose, repair must
be made immediately and entered in log. Otherwise, the repair of fixed
weights must be completed prior to next Annual Inspection or
12/31/2003.

I have asked for fixed price quotes for this work from Ridge Soaring
and M&H. I'll share them with the group as soon as they come in.

OC

[Deputy Dog]

Be advised that you DO NOT HAVE TO DRILL HOLES IN THE HORIZ. STAB!! to
comply with the technical note (and German AD).

I emailed Tom Knauff (who forwarded my email to Schempp-Hirth) and
noted to them that you can much better inspect the weights by taking
the elevator halfs off (remove 6 bolts total). You then can closely
inspect them instead of drilling the 1/4" holes and trying to do it
through the hole. Plus, you don't have two holes to repair!

Schempp-Hirth explained that you could drill the holes so you could do
the inspection and then keep flying if all was OK and then comply with
the balance of the tech. note by Dec 31st. The balance of the note
REQUIRES the removal of the halves, so you might as well do it to
begin with and save the holes.

As info, my Discus 2 had one weight that was loose, being held in only
by the roll pins. There was no bond at the weight to epoxy interface,
so it is an inspection worth doing. I do not believe that mine would
have been seen through a hole. It was only after wiggling it that I
noticed a very slight movement.

-Deputy Dog
(3J - Discus 2B)

TN requires drilling of inspection holes

[chris]

TN requires drilling of inspection holes in tail
prior to next flight.

Also drill holes in Discus and Duo Discus wings....

I guess next season we'll see if swiss cheeze can fly...

Sounds like lots of holes in lots of gliders, maybe they they should
build them of clear resin.