Pre-buy inspection

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Vitalij Leonidovic
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Jun 09, 2019 10:34 am

Pre-buy inspection

Post 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
282ex
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2016 12:59 am

Re: Pre-buy inspection

Post 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.
Erik Petersen
Wheeler Express Series 90 Auriga
Sequim, Wa
phil_thomas
Posts: 24
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 5:25 pm
Location: Nashville, TN

Re: Pre-buy inspection

Post 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.
Phil Thomas
Nashville, TN
282ex
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2016 12:59 am

Re: Pre-buy inspection

Post 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
Erik Petersen
Wheeler Express Series 90 Auriga
Sequim, Wa
282ex
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2016 12:59 am

Re: Pre-buy inspection

Post 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
Erik Petersen
Wheeler Express Series 90 Auriga
Sequim, Wa
Vitalij Leonidovic
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Jun 09, 2019 10:34 am

Re: Pre-buy inspection

Post by Vitalij Leonidovic »

Hi guys,

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


Have a nice day.
Cris
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat May 02, 2020 5:45 pm

Re: Pre-buy inspection

Post 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
Phils
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2020 9:23 am

Re: Pre-buy inspection

Post by Phils »

Dear Vitalij,
Do have you have visited this aircraft ?
What's your feedback ?
Best regards
Philippe
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