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Uh-oh..
http://www.conniesurvivors.com/1-connie_news.htm#DEC15
http://www.conniesurvivors.com/1-connie_news.htm#DEC15Unfortunately however,
the board was informed of some bad news two days before the assembly.
After the tragic events in vintage aviation in recent months,
the FOCA (Federal Office of Civil Aviation)
has increased the scrutiny of all vintage aircraft registered in Switzerland.
Unfortunately, our aircraft is affected by these decisions,
which means that we will have to take an even closer, more in depth look at our aircraft.
Sadly, our concerns became a reality.
It remains uncertain when the Connie will fly again.
Recent findings revealed that one of the materials used for repairs on the main spar (aluminum 7075 T6) may cause inter-granular corrosion.
In order to further investigate this risk, all four wing spars will need to be inspected and possibly replaced.
A definitive plan of action will not be devised until a meeting with FOCA representatives will take place.
FOCA directives will heavily influence future maintenance works on our “HB-RSC”.
If our concerns or discovering corrosion in the main spar become a reality,
restoration costs will by far exceed the possibilities of our associations’ budget.
While nothing is impossible, it will all boil down to how high the expense would be.
The meeting with FOCA representatives was held on November 30. Unfortunately, it will remain uncertain when our Connie will fly again.
...readAccording to expert preliminary statements,
these repairs will require the removal of both aircraft wings.
Unless a different, more cost effective procedure can be found to check the spar,
these in depth tasks bear comparison with a complete reconstructionof the entire wing.
The board is hopeful that our project may continue,
even though the path to getting our Connie back into the air will be long, steep, and costly.
For more information, please read our SuperLetter 3|18 which will be mailed out to members before Christmas 2018.
http://www.conniesurvivors.com/1-connie_news.htm#DEC15
for much more details...
No, it is not a full "unexpected D-check/ "heavy maintenance visit" (HMV)", but it is not that far off...
