From: N295VV@aol.com
Message-ID: <a0d93155.24964e8e@aol.com>
Date: Mon, 14 Jun 1999 08:24:46 EDT
Subject: Re: Peel Ply/Safety Issue
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Mime-Version: 1.0

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From: n295vv

The classic case of peel ply mistake was the loud noise followed by the 
departure of part of the rear end (I don't remember whether it was the HS or 
the Elevator) on one of the earlier builds.  The pilot was able to land 
safely, and on landing learned what unbonded epoxy joints look like.  This 
was told to me as fact by someone who should know.

Another less documented peel ply story, but more visual, was the earlier 
builder who was said to have not peeled any PP.  The result was the 
Chain-Sawing of the completed plane into garbage can sized pieces.

Yes, I remember the embedded white fibers, and the agonizing sanding to 
remove them, worrying all the time if I was destroying the integrity of the 
carbon fiber....

I have two suggestions for the factory (and, yes, I am going to be nice 
today!):

1)  Add $200  to the cost of the kit, and hire in-house peelers to strip the 
ply at the 
     factory.   This may even prevent litigation some day.  A smart move, I 
think.

2)  If the above is not workable, CHANGE TO A DIFFERENT COLOR DACRON.  I 
     have used yellow dacron myself.  If I saw yellow, I knew i had not 
stripped the 
     PP.   White dacron just looks too much like rough epoxy matrix.

David Jones, Pecatonica, Illinois
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