On Tuesday, Sept 22, OZ Report passed on the Wills Wing notice that their batten flip tips are supplied by Airborne, and the Airborne Safety Notice applies to all WW flip tips, also:
http://ozreport.com/19.190#2
https://www.willswing.com/lever-batten- ... -airborne/
Read the Airborne notice and instructions at
http://www.airborne.com.au/images/aw_di ... SB-019.pdf
Short version, do one of three things:
1. replace all your tips with new ones (instructions for measurement are on the pdf).
2. Test each tip for ability to stay closed at 6.5 kg (or 6.5 liters of water) test, and replace all that fail.
or
3. Add a safety strap to each tip to lock it closed in use.
Mark,
Please sticky this thread at the top of the forum.
SAFETY NOTICE: All Wills Wing Flyers
Moderator: CHGPA BOD
SAFETY NOTICE: All Wills Wing Flyers
Cragin
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Douglas.Cragin(AT)iCloud(DOT)com
Weather - https://sites.google.com/site/hgweather/
Flying - http://craginsflightblog.blogspot.com/
Kay's Stuff- http://kayshappenings.blogspot.com/
GO to 50 https://sites.google.com/site/hgmemories/Home/50th
Re: SAFETY NOTICE: All Wills Wing Flyers
I have a batten that unloads statically on the ground all the time. The 1st batten on the left side as viewed from the keel. The batten must be under too much tension in the batten pocket. I have taken off with the batten unloaded but have not checked to see if the batten has stayed unloaded in flight. I did not detect any lack of control; however that doesn't mean that the batten wasn't unloaded in flight. Bacil
Re: SAFETY NOTICE: All Wills Wing Flyers
Had the same problem with my Discus C, having the most outer batten on each side unloading statically on the ground, all the time.
First, did try to replace the batten flip tips. This did not help. Then, did add a safety strap to each tip, to lock it closed in use; though, this was a pain in the neck.
My solution was to talk to Highland and they fixed this for me, by making me two new battens, using an spring batten tip inserted, which will never unload.
This is the same type or similar used on the Fizz and some Aeros gliders.
Knut
First, did try to replace the batten flip tips. This did not help. Then, did add a safety strap to each tip, to lock it closed in use; though, this was a pain in the neck.
My solution was to talk to Highland and they fixed this for me, by making me two new battens, using an spring batten tip inserted, which will never unload.
This is the same type or similar used on the Fizz and some Aeros gliders.
Knut
-
Brit_in_SoMD
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2010 11:58 pm
Re: SAFETY NOTICE: All Wills Wing Flyers
Have just tested all my tips today (Sport2 155, 2006 model, I think), using 6.5 kg option.
Was very easy, took 15 mins, maybe, once I had my test weight ready (solar shower, 0.42kg plus 6.08 kg water).. (Took longer to prep the test weight than test the tips as my largest meauring jug is only 1 litre!)
All passed.
Since awareness of this problem went mainstream earlier this year, I've added explicit checks of tip condition to my preflight (when I open them up to insert into sail pockets). It's very easy and only adds maybe 10 secs per tip.
Also, in dusty conditions (like every day at Santa Cruz Flats Race!), I blow them out at the same step, just to make sure there's nothing in them that could cause unlocking/wear.
Was very easy, took 15 mins, maybe, once I had my test weight ready (solar shower, 0.42kg plus 6.08 kg water).. (Took longer to prep the test weight than test the tips as my largest meauring jug is only 1 litre!)
All passed.
Since awareness of this problem went mainstream earlier this year, I've added explicit checks of tip condition to my preflight (when I open them up to insert into sail pockets). It's very easy and only adds maybe 10 secs per tip.
Also, in dusty conditions (like every day at Santa Cruz Flats Race!), I blow them out at the same step, just to make sure there's nothing in them that could cause unlocking/wear.