- Fri Mar 02, 2018 1:57 am
#402486
FlyinHD wrote: ↑Fri Mar 02, 2018 1:10 amWe all know sails have various life spans, anyone have thoughts on the lifespan of an air frame, assume in good condition, no accidents or major whacking. Are we talking 10-15 yrs, 15-20 or something else? Understanding the bones are only useful if they can be fashioned with skin. Thanks and happy flights!
HD
HD,
There are too many variables to give any good answer. A glider that I often flew in big air developed tiny cracks, radiating from bolt-holes in the crossbars. A glider that I had stored in a garage developed corrosion inside the tubing (it was not my glider, and I do not believe that the owner ever paste-waxed the hardware or the tubing, inside or outside).
Neither glider could be trusted in serious air, now. Corrosion can be prevented, but not repaired, beyond a certain point. The airframe with cracks coming from the bolt-holes could be repaired with modern fittings, but that old design is not worthwhile now. If you take good care of a glider, the airframe can usually outlast the sail, and maybe a second sail. Noisy landings can shorten the life of an airframe by a lot. If you take a glider to the beach, or travel in bad weather without the glider being in a waterproof bag, corrosion may bite you.
Cheers,
........Red.........................
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H4, Moyes X2, Falcon Tandem, HES Tracer, Quantum 'chute. USHPA #28198