DG-100 FAA AD 2009-20-04 Elevator Control Bearing Stand

This AD came out in the last few days and sent me into a tizzy. This
has to do with the elevator bearing stand breaking loose. All
applicable ships must grind off and replace the difficult to get at
fiberglass and metal stand by Jan 19, 2010. The part itself is 39
Euros (plus VAT and shipping, etc) and another 250 Euros (plus VAT)
for the "Release Certificate". This was looking like a $1000 repair
and several months of downtime. And this is because one (1!) DG-100
had this part fail out of 200+ built. I know the elevator is the one
item you really DON'T want to fail but it seems like over doing it.

The AD applies to "DG-100 and DG-100G: ser. no. 5, 21 up to 103". My
DG-101G ELAN's SN is E102G72 so I figured I was caught. But the early
DG serial numbers are notoriously difficult to decipher and DG
themselves intermix DG-100 and DG-101, with or without the G, rather
haphazardly. So I wrote to the US distributors and to DG in Germany
for a read. One US distributor has responded thus far and said, "Yes,
my glider is part of the AD." Bad news. However, DG wrote back and
said, "No, you are not involved because your ship is an ELAN." GREAT
news! I can now fly with my mind at relative ease.

Anyway, I thought that I would send this out to RAS so that someone
might dodge an expensive bullet like I did.

Good luck. Fly safe.

- John DeRosa