Wings, Wheels and Water

Question about tail-wheel aircraft with wrinkles!

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The question from a reader customer was – “I’m looking at a tail wheel aircraft that has wrinkles or dents around where main landing gear legs go into the fuselage. There is nothing in the logbooks about repairs, has this aircraft been wrecked?”
My thoughts are that wrinkles do not mean wrecked. But they do typically indicate previous damage or stress. I’d guess the aircraft has had a few hard landings or even a few ground loops. Make sure the mechanic looks for a Form 337, Major Alteration and Repair in the aircraft records. You can also order (through the FAA or other search companies) a copy of the FAA 337 Forms for a specific “N” number  aircraft.  This report will show you any Form 337’s that have been filed with the FAA on that particular aircraft.  If that doesn’t show any damage all you have is visual information.
Whatever the result, the mechanic should inspect the gear attach points for un-repaired damage.   Landing gear on any aircraft gets a lot of stress.   Custom built aircraft are notorious for landing gear damage, along with training aircraft.  It doesn’t matter if it is a conventional gear (tail wheel) aircraft or a tri-gear aircraft.  New pilots have a tendency to make hard landings and newly completed custom aircraft take a while to become accustom to.   Don’t be surprised, just make sure the aircraft is inspected carefully.  


2017 Seabird Splash-In and Sun N Fun.

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SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In, Inc.
Jackie Jenkins
Communications Coordinator
Office 863-904-4002
jjenkins@flysnf.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2017 Seabird Splash-In

(February 2, 2017 Lakeland, FL) Mark your calendars for the 2017 Seabird Splash-In set for April 1st and 2nd, 2017 at Tavares Seaplane Base in Tavares, FL, airport identifier: FA1.
The weekend will include contests on the water and transit to the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus for the 43rd Annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly- In & Expo on Monday, April 3rd. 100 LL Fuel will be available on the base and facilities will include mooring, docking and ramp access.

While SUN ‘n FUN continues to look for a suitable location for a Splash-In near Lakeland, Seabird Co-Chairmen Geoff Nye and Bob Highley met with the management of Tavares Seaplane Base and determined that a Splash-In at Tavares was not only feasible, but a great location for Seabirds on their way to SUN ‘n FUN this spring. Tavares, known as Americas First Seaplane City has all the facilities for seaplane activities, as well as walk-to hotels and restaurants. Tavares is experienced in conducting seaplane splash-in events and is excited to host the participation of SUN ‘n FUN Seabirds.

More information will be available on SUN ‘n FUN’s website, flysnf.org as it becomes available.
For more information on the Splash-in, please contact Geoff Nye, Seabirds Co-Chair at 215-913-4768 or email him at g.nye@att.net

SUN ‘n FUN is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, located on the grounds of the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, FL. Proceeds from all year-round events are returned to aviation-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs, activities and facilities, and used to support on-going scholarship funding.