Mailing List lml@lancaironline.net Message #2590
From: <N295VV@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Peel Ply/Safety Issue
Date: Mon, 14 Jun 1999 08:24:46 EDT
To: <lancair.list@olsusa.com>
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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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