I'm considering buying a 1969 17-31-ATC that is being re-painted.
The mechanic tells me that he found a loose rib in the flap well (starboard I believe) that he thinks may have been caused by lowering the flaps at too high a speed. I'm under the impression that the rear ribs are bonded to both the rear spar and to the wing surfacing veneer.
This worries me some as I don't know exactly how to tell if other ribs are securely attached to the spar and wing laminate.
Does anyone know of an instrument that can be used to verify that the adhesive joints between wing veneer and ribs still have good bonding?
I understand that many of the rear ribs (false ribs?) can be inspected visually but I wonder if any sonic or similar non-destructive methods have been developed for this purpose.
Thanks for the help.
The mechanic tells me that he found a loose rib in the flap well (starboard I believe) that he thinks may have been caused by lowering the flaps at too high a speed. I'm under the impression that the rear ribs are bonded to both the rear spar and to the wing surfacing veneer.
This worries me some as I don't know exactly how to tell if other ribs are securely attached to the spar and wing laminate.
Does anyone know of an instrument that can be used to verify that the adhesive joints between wing veneer and ribs still have good bonding?
I understand that many of the rear ribs (false ribs?) can be inspected visually but I wonder if any sonic or similar non-destructive methods have been developed for this purpose.
Thanks for the help.