jcarlyle wrote:
On my ASW-19B's airworthiness test report there's an entry for "rate of
wing bending oscillation". Two questions:

1. Why would a pilot want to know this frequency? Flutter prevention?
Attachment integrity?

This rate is a physical characteristic of each glider's wings. If the
frequency changes something has changed in the wing structure, for
example a delamination, crack in the skin or spar, broken aileron or
flap hinge etc. It's an easy way of assessing the integrity of the wings.

2. How would he go about obtaining it? Accelerometer and frequency
counter? Stopwatch?

Stand at one wing tip and push up and down on the wing making it
oscillate (flap!) up and down at its natural frequency. Nothing
aggressive just a few inches up and down. Have a helper time how many
flaps/minute. Very simple to do and anecdotally, I've heard of people
discovering damage this way. If the frequency changes, best to get
things checked out.
I was also told to carefully look at the wing surfaces while flexing,
looking for odd ripples or bulges. Sounded reasonable to me, now part
of my pre-flight.

Shawn

P.S. Anyone know of Duo and Discus owners noting a difference after
voids were repaired?