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A cable with even a single broken strand must be replaced before the wing is flown again. A
cable which has been bent sharply enough to have taken a permanent set must also be
replaced immediately.
Some degree of fatigue due to repeated bending of cables is almost unavoidable in an aircraft
that is assembled and disassembled regularly.
The cables must be checked for broken wires and corrosion. If any defect on a wire is
observed, no matter how small, the cable in question
MUST BE REPLACED
. It is
recommended that the entire cable system be replaced once every four years irrespective of
service conditions.
1 0 . 1 .3 . T UB IN G S
To check the condition of the wing tubes the sail should be removed from the wing frame and
the tubes should be detached at the joints. The tubes are to be inspected visually. When there
is suspicion of damage, the points in question should be inspected using a magnifying glass of
(5-10) X magnification. There should be no trace of corrosion, cracks, bends or dents.
Check that the uprights and the struts are straight and undamaged. If any defect on the
uprights or the struts observed or you find them bended -
replace immediately
.
1 0 . 1 .4 . B A T TE N S
The battens of PROFI TL should be checked against the template and their bends should be
adjusted if necessary. Check all the plastic batten heads and tails and replace if necessary.
1 0 . 1 .5 . F A S TE N E RS
Check all fasteners (bolts, screws, rollers, nuts, splint pins etc.) for corrosion. Any corroded
fasteners should be replaced. Bolts should not be worn and/or bent. Key bolts should be
checked most thoroughly for cracks between the head and the bolt body. These are the bolts at
the control bar side and bottom joints, the central spreader bar tensioning cable attachment
point and the rear cable attachment point on the keel tube. If any cracks are observed -
REPLACE IMMEDIATELY!
10.1.6. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
1. Any time your trike suffer a heavy landing you should have an “annual” inspection done on
your wing to insure that you find all damaged parts.
Heavy landings may also impose very high loads on the sprogs and sprog cables. Inspect them
accordingly.
2. If your wing is ever exposed to salt water you will need to have the wing completely
disassembled in accordance with the recommended annual inspection procedure. All frame
parts will need to be disassembled, including the removal of all sleeves and bushings, flushed
liberally with fresh water and dried completely.
3. If you fly in a dusty or sandy environment, it will help to prolong the life of your batten pockets
if you wipe each batten with a rag before you install it in the sail.
4. A wet wing must be dried before storing. Do not leave your wing wet for more than one day,
because corrosion may result.
5. Take special care to avoid ice-covering of the wing, particularly the leading edge in
wintertime.
