[DeTomaso] FW: NPC Probably not new to you aeroheads but wow-

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 6/17/15 11 33 50, gow2 at rc-tech.net writes:


> Ironically one of the problem with composites is repair. When you run
> something like carbon fiber in a solid line from wing tip to wing tip, if
> you punch it with an ice pick you have compromised the strength of the
> entire string.
> 

>>>...and I think that's something that may have been overlooked in the 
stampede towards CF construction of airliners.   There are a lot of 
minimum-wage boneheads driving catering trucks and whatnot that routinely bump into the 
airplanes they are servicing, causing localized damage.   Such airplanes 
are immediately withdrawn from service and undergo an inspection, and then 
often a localized patch is applied and the airplane is ready to go again in 
just a few hours.   It's not uncommon to see airplanes with multiple such 
patches on the skin; eventually they will go for a heavy maintenance (akin to a 
ground-up restoration in automotive circles) and then the offending panels 
are removed and replaced with new ones.

This begs the question--how does a CF airplane respond when a bozo crashes 
into it with a catering truck?   CF doesn't 'ding' as far as I know.   Can 
localized repairs be made?

F-1 cars may prove reassuring in this regard.   Recall that at this year's 
Montreal GP, Lewis Hamilton comprehensively smashed his car on the first 
day's practice, hitting the wall hard, pieces and parts flying everywhere etc.  
 The whole side of the car was demolished; however the team was able to 
drag the wreck back to the garage and rebuild it overnight; he went on to win 
the race.   So that gives some cause for optimism perhaps?

Mike
-------------- next part --------------
   In a message dated 6/17/15 11 33 50, gow2 at rc-tech.net writes:

     Ironically one of the problem with composites is repair. When you
     run
     something like carbon fiber in a solid line from wing tip to wing
     tip, if
     you punch it with an ice pick you have compromised the strength of
     the
     entire string.

   >>>...and I think that's something that may have been overlooked in the
   stampede towards CF construction of airliners.  There are a lot of
   minimum-wage boneheads driving catering trucks and whatnot that
   routinely bump into the airplanes they are servicing, causing localized
   damage.  Such airplanes are immediately withdrawn from service and
   undergo an inspection, and then often a localized patch is applied and
   the airplane is ready to go again in just a few hours.  It's not
   uncommon to see airplanes with multiple such patches on the skin;
   eventually they will go for a heavy maintenance (akin to a ground-up
   restoration in automotive circles) and then the offending panels are
   removed and replaced with new ones.
   This begs the question--how does a CF airplane respond when a bozo
   crashes into it with a catering truck?  CF doesn't 'ding' as far as I
   know.  Can localized repairs be made?
   F-1 cars may prove reassuring in this regard.  Recall that at this
   year's Montreal GP, Lewis Hamilton comprehensively smashed his car on
   the first day's practice, hitting the wall hard, pieces and parts
   flying everywhere etc.  The whole side of the car was demolished;
   however the team was able to drag the wreck back to the garage and
   rebuild it overnight; he went on to win the race.  So that gives some
   cause for optimism perhaps?
   Mike