Inspection plan for SB-00036?

gnuse · #1 02-13-2023, 09:43 AM

Have any RV-3's been inspected for this bulletin?

If so, what method did you chose to access the hinge area?

Thanks.

BruceMe · #2 02-14-2023, 08:12 AM

Drill a 3/8" hole in the h-stab fearing and end rib, then drop my vividia boroscope. I'll tape over the hole so it can be inspected annually.

1rv4 · #3 02-14-2023, 08:14 PM

Keeping in mind I don't have a flying RV3 yet, but couldn't the spar be accessed from the inboard end by removing the tailfin fairing and then using a borescope through the inboard rib to view the outboard hinge area.

Chris

BruceMe · #4 02-15-2023, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1rv4

...couldn't the spar be accessed from the inboard end by removing the tailfin fairing and then using a borescope through the inboard rib to view the outboard hinge area.

My horoscope is 2" long and it's a solid rod, it can't bend, so the opposite stab would interfere. I can try it, but I don't think it will work... if anyone has similar ideas, I'm game. A different (flexible/longer/snake-like) boroscope certainly would work.

BruceMe · #5 02-15-2023, 07:33 AM

BTW, all the RVs after the 3 use a counterweight elevator and it's super easy to just drill a hole inside the counterweight offset that nobody will ever see. But the 3 is always a little different

gnuse · #6 02-15-2023, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceMe

BTW, all the RVs after the 3 use a counterweight elevator and it's super easy to just drill a hole inside the counterweight offset that nobody will ever see. But the 3 is always a little different

That is why I hoped to find a 3 owner that had done the inspection.

TheBebo · #7 02-15-2023, 08:39 AM

My outbound fairings are removable, so I took them off and enlarged a hole in the rib. For my neighbors 3 we took off the fairing around the vertical stab and fished the borescope in from the center outboard to get access.

Unfortunately. I found cracks. He did not.

1rv4 · #8 02-15-2023, 09:26 AM

There are lots of cheap borescopes (endoscopes) with 6ft. flexible wands forsale on Amazon, under $100. I think one of these would be adequate for what we are trying to do. Has anyone used one with good results?

Chris

gnuse · #9 02-15-2023, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBebo

My outbound fairings are removable, so I took them off and enlarged a hole in the rib. For my neighbors 3 we took off the fairing around the vertical stab and fished the borescope in from the center outboard to get access.

Unfortunately. I found cracks. He did not.

I'm not clear on what you mean by "outbound fairings". Can you explain? Thanks.

rvaitor87 · #10 02-16-2023, 10:58 AM

I have a borescope with a 6' flexible wand. I will be out at the hanger this weekend and will be looking at the issue. After I have completed this, I will report back as to how the flex cable works. There is only about 600hrs on my plane, but my father loved aerobatics so we will see what we find.