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Pre-buy inspection

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 6:55 am
by Vitalij Leonidovic
Good afternoon.

My name is Vitalij I’m from Europe ( Spain) and new on this forum. I’m going to check a wheeler express CT next week.( serial number 1051) I really don’t know much about this type of aircraft that’s why seeking for advice on pre-buy inspection. Any specific areas to look for? Where can I find a list of mandatory SB?

Many thanks in advance

P.S Reply from an owner

Hello Vitalij
Thanks for your interest
Prop and engine have around 350 TT since new. A professional mechanic has always be maintaining the aircraft and the federal air office is controlling the airplane every two years (SB)
The main gear is fiberglass and a secondary version, the first version has never been installed as it had bad results so we could avoid the problem from the experience of others. This one is sufficient flexible with fiberglass laminate. The other was kevlar fibres and too rigid and delaminated what i remember.
Front gear is metall and needs good friction with a Bonneville ring
To avoid shimmy mine is ok.
The autopilot 2 axis needs to be changed ( 2000 dollars, uncertified instrument)
The airplane is flying well and cruises at 130 knots at 30 l/ h on the lean side of the curve with cht 330 F . A lot of autonoy with 350 l in 4 tanks with 2 passengers and 4 passengers with 200 l .
If you are further interested you are welcome for a flight.

http://www.planecheck.com/?ent=da&id=39609

Re: Pre-buy inspection

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 6:13 pm
by 282ex
For the engine, refer to your a&p for guidance, as for the airframe, contact Darrell, darrellpeterson@compairtechllc.com or call Composite Aircraft Technology +1-360-864-6271 for an official list. Kevin, the admin here also might have other insights.

Re: Pre-buy inspection

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 9:06 pm
by phil_thomas
Hey Vitalij, welcome to the forums! We have only had our Express for about a year so there are others here with much more experience than me so hopefully they will comment here, too.

Erik's already given some good info above but one other thing I've heard a lot about checking out are the landing gear and their associated attach points. I can't put my finger on the post, but I seem to believe that the increased gross weight of 3200lb up from 2895lb only came with the upgrade from the fiberglass main gear.

There are some great posts on this forum as well as the archives (pre 2014) at https://www.express-builder.com/old/for ... opics.html I'd make sure to take a look through those to glean what the guys that have built these amazing planes have worked through over the last 20 years.

Re: Pre-buy inspection

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 11:01 pm
by 282ex
Thanks Phil.
phil_thomas wrote: Wed Jun 12, 2019 9:06 pm Erik's already given some good info above but one other thing I've heard a lot about checking out are the landing gear and their associated attach points. I can't put my finger on the post, but I seem to believe that the increased gross weight of 3200lb up from 2895lb only came with the upgrade from the fiberglass main gear.
Right, when I visited CAT last weekend, Darrell was showing me the main gear attach points and how the original brackets that were backed with two rectangular bars, the main gear plate and the ribs take the load. Cracks can form on the inside corners of the brackets. Darrell can provide a writeup for preventative and replacement strategies.

Also, Darrell recommends inspecting the nose gears struts and replace if they are the legacy struts.

Phil, I heard you got the old forum data going again, well done! I sent Kevin some contact information to share with you regarding some other fun things happening.

Cheers!
Erik

Re: Pre-buy inspection

Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 1:07 am
by 282ex
Seems Darrell had made reference to some design changes on the main gear back in 2010:
http://www.express-builder.com/old/foru ... 1292868441
Posted on Friday, September 03, 2010 - 04:53 pm:
Jorge Baccaro, We have just completed new assembly drawings for the new Grove aluminum landing gear. We are useing new steel frame plates on both sides. please contact us at the factory so that we can understand what your needs are. 360-864-6271
Regards
Darrell Peterson

Re: Pre-buy inspection

Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 3:03 am
by Vitalij Leonidovic
Hi guys,

Thank you all for your inputs.
Going to contact Darrell and Composite Aircraft Technology.


Have a nice day.

Re: Pre-buy inspection

Posted: Sat May 02, 2020 9:50 pm
by Cris
Hi there. Just arrived on the forum, and thanks for adding me. The airplane is still for sale, what’s wrong with it? Have you test it?
Thanks

Re: Pre-buy inspection

Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2020 1:43 pm
by Phils
Dear Vitalij,
Do have you have visited this aircraft ?
What's your feedback ?
Best regards
Philippe