Hangar Flying => Hangar Flying => Topic started by: ltaylor on September 23, 2007, 08:21:35 AM
Title: lifting of surface
Post by: ltaylor on September 23, 2007, 08:21:35 AM
I noticed a 2.5" lifting "bubble", on the upper surface of the left strake of my recently purchased Long EZ. The area is approximately 3" lateral of the fuselage and approximately 4" back from the most forward edge of the strake. When depressed, the underlying structure feels firm. My research so far indicates that injecting this area with epoxy and weighting will resolve the problem, but I'd appreciate expert guidance from the group. My EZ has 218 hrs TT and was completed by its original owner in '86. Overall, and excellent build and this appears the only problem area.
Thanks, Lane Taylor, N213EZ, KOSC
Title: lifting of surface
Post by: Drew on September 24, 2007, 07:33:16 AM
Is it the paint bubbling or the skin? Sand off the paint in this area to take a look. If it is the paint, then just repaint this area.
If skin, use the quarter test to see how big this area really is and outline it with marker or tape. The plans has a very good repair section that will show you how to do this.
For an example and story of a really bad delam, consult one of the later CPs where Mike Melville got a really bad delam on the bottom surface of his wing due to a fuel leak. He had to replace a lot of foam and reskin several square feet of surface---complete with pictures.
Title: feedback appreciated
Post by: ltaylor on September 24, 2007, 04:43:34 PM
Thanks Drew. I'm pretty confident that the lifting is the fiberglass and the quarter test confirms a dull sound. When I compress the area I can hear contact with the underlying foam so I'm thinking that injecting the area is the purdent course of action. The other question is: Should the plane be grounded until this area is repaired? Given the location it doesn't appear to be a structural concern, but being new to EZs, I leave it to the experts to advise.
Lane
Title: lifting of surface
Post by: Drew on September 25, 2007, 01:36:59 AM
I would fix a delam as soon as possible---it will probably take one half hour to fix---including getting set up and cleaning afterward.
Of course my wife would take that number and tell you to multiply by 4. :lol:
Title: Thanks Drew
Post by: ltaylor on September 25, 2007, 06:13:46 AM
Sounds like a start to a plan and my first small project. The area is directly over the right storage compartment, which I hope means less serious. I said left in my original posting, but it's right. Lane
Title: lifting of surface
Post by: Drew on September 25, 2007, 08:11:15 AM
You can't own one of these things without getting "dirty." Good thing that your first job is an easy one.
Make sure that you have the plans----and consult the repair section. It is a rather short section--but contains everything you need to know.
Title: lifting of surface
Post by: ltaylor on September 25, 2007, 04:33:50 PM
I purchased this Long EZ with the idea of making it a rebuild/restoration project so I guess that I'm getting "just what I asked for." Thanks again, Lane