What to do with L-13?

Tim,

Steve Northcraft has done and is doing a superb job as the SSA's point
man on the L-13. He's spent a huge amount of time working with the
FAA to find a solution owners can live with. I'm sure he would like
nothing better than to be able to announce a solution which would make
everyone happy.

The L-13 wasn't grounded because of some bureaucratic bungling. There
are very real and serious structural problems with the wing. These
problems require an engineering solution proven to be safe. The L-13
has a standard airworthiness certificate and any fix must completely
restore the aircraft to that standard. Simply splicing in some more
metal and hope it works isn't an option. That's what you get with a
standard airworthiness certificate.

The problem isn't just coming up with a well engineered a solution,
that can be done. It's coming up with one which is economically
feasible for a 50 year old glider which will be worth only around
$12,000 after it's fixed - a $15,000 fix for a $12,000 glider is a non-
starter. That's a very tough nut to crack since the paperwork alone
is likely to cost that much. It's possible, even probable, no such
solution can be found. There is no SSA political action which can, or
should, overcome that. Unfortunately, the L-13's, like the war
surplus wooden trainers of the 1950's, may be history.

I agree that losing over 180 L-13 trainers hit the US soaring movement
hard. In the same time period, the fleet of 2-33's has dropped to 131
active gliders, probably due to age. It appears we have half as many
airworthy trainers today as we did 50 years ago. Today, right now, we
need at least 300 new trainers and if the LetsGoGliding program really
takes off, we could need 400.

If someone is thinking of backing a US glider manufacturer, now would
be the time.

Bill Daniels





On May 3, 5:16*pm, "Tim Mara" wrote:
What ever became of our SSA and the "government liaison and support we pay
so dearly for with the high dues and fees?
Isn't this what we all belong for? where is their support and chain rattling
with the FAA to get this issue resolved?
tim

wrote in message

news:8062526.4081.1336051011893.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@vbkv21...
Our club (NJ - USA) has folded and we still have an L-13 taking up space.
Before I call the local scrap yard I thought I'd ask if anyone might be
interested in buying it at scrap value with the dreams of getting airworthy
again. We also have an open trailer for it that will be available separately
if the bird goes to the junk yard. mikefaddenathotmail.com.