Copyright © Aircraft Service US 2010. All rights reserved.

Bill has considerable experience in working with composite materials and managed an aviation composite shop for many years.  The type of repair that can be accomplished away from the manufacturers jigs vary from aircraft to aircraft.  As with any repair, the manufacturer’s detailed instructions and authorization for the repair must be held.  As pictures are better than words, the following photos show a typical repair carried out by Bill, in this case on a Dynamic WT9 rudder.  

As with any repair, the weight has to be controlled and any changes recorded.  With control surfaces, weight and balance is critical, therefore the following procedure is adopted.

a. The rudder is weighed and a comparison made with original control surface weight and balance schedule

b. The rudder is supported horizontally at its hinges on a prepared jig

c. The weight of the rudder is recorded at a distance from the hinge line (arm) as detailed by the manufacturers instructions (in this case 320mm)

d. The weight is converted into force - Newton’s and multiplied by the arm

e. Result is recorded and if out of manufacturers supplied tolerance, weight is applied forward of the hinge line