VintageBonanza Forum

[norse]

Where does one get an ultrasonic skin test for compliance? I'm looking for someone or service that will provide certification that the skins are the same ones that Beech assembled to the aircraft when new back in 1950.

[Bryan Wells]

To satisfy the requriements of the AD at the beginning was abit difficult since it stated a specific digital ultrsonic skin thickness testor by model number. After a successful lobbying effort the latest revision of the AD is that alternate methods are acceptable. So, this can even mean a set of calipers can be used or yes, one can still used the digital ultrasonic method as well. Accomplishing this really isn't all that difficult, it really doesn't require that the person doin the inspection be a AP or AI either. What the FAA requirs is that it be from a qualified person that knows how to perfrom the measurements and use the equipment for inspection. For example, up the in the Northwest, we found a person that had a business that did NDT inspections for all sorts of things, not specific to airplanes even, but he had a digital ultrsonic testor that would work on the skins of the Bonanza. I think he ended up doing about a dozen or more planes in the area. He only charged like $200 bucks depending how far he had to go and how many there were to do. He provided a piece of paper with all the measurements of the seperate skins and the airplane owners took that to their A&P's and that was used to satisfy that portion of the AD. I know of others that just got a set of calipers and did their own.

If it were me, I would contact others in CA that have had their speed restriction lifted or some of the local Bonanza shops, such as Dick Kuck at Cruise-air. Or Bob at ParaAviation and see if they have a inexpensive method available.

www.vintagebonanza.com/SW_service_for_your_bonanza.htm

[bonanza3941n]

How would you check an "installed" skin thickness with calipers?

[brad hammond]

You can either use a depth gauge or the back side of dial calipers. you will be checking the skin thickness at the overlap. I hope this makes things a little clearer