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>I haven't seen legions of powder coated aluminum bicyles cracked and broken
>in the gutters of America <snip>........

I believe there are 3 distinct disadvantages to powder coating aluminum
that would preclude my accepting the practice on an aircraft.
(note - aluminum only)

1. Powder coating weighs more than anodizing or aloydining (sp?)
2. Aluminum is a very 'dirty' metal and powder coating relies on a very
clean surface for good adhesion.
3. There is no way to troubleshoot cracks with a powder coating.

Powder coating will not adhere to dirty metal.  Which means if all the
corrosion isn't removed from the aluminum, you will have a covering that
will hide cracks, corrosion, and other problems that high vibration
environments will cause.  Plus, if the coating itself cracks, then
the aluminum is open to all kinds of environmental possibilities.  There
is absolutely no way to tell if you have a serious crack in the metal
underneath the powder coat until the part fails or the coating cracks
and breaks off to reveal the problem.

Vibration is the one operating factors that differ between bicycles and
airplanes.

Just my humble opinion,
Curtis Krouse N753K



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