-
Our first work on the airplane will be inspecting the fuel tanks searching for possible fuel remainders, as well as the engine oil reservoirs and the hydraulic fluid reservoirs. Removing the possible hydraulic fluid present on board will be one of the most delicate tasks, since the brand used by this aircraft was Skydrol, which is quite irritating for the human skin. We're already in contact with an environmental agency and already have a budget in order to take away all these fluids. With all the fluids awaya, we'll disconnect the battery and remove it from its rack (which is behind the radome) and take it to a recycling point.
-
After that, we'll clean all the airplane with a pressure washer, hot water and special soaps in order to remove all the dirt accumulated after 23 years. For this purpose we count on the support of a company dedicated to that business.
-
Next step will be reinforcing the whole landing gear. Though all the struts look good and are firmly assembled to their respective spars, the associated components such as the side braces, drag braces, etc. are very corroded, but fortunately they don't suffer from exfoliation corrosion and in our opinion the rust of those components could be cleaned and the components re-used. Apart from this, the right main landing gear and nose landing gear have their respective pistons compressed, which is normal after 23 years. But the left main landing gear has its piston extended, and we would like to compress it in order to prevent a possible sudden compression while working in other areas of the airplane. Once we manage to level the position of the aircraft by compressing that strut, it in necessary to jack the airplane for the following: either to replace or retread the current tires and install new rims or remove the rust accumulated in them.
-
With the landing gear safe and firm, we'll start cutting fuselage and wing panels which are seriously affected by exfoliation corrosion. In this case, since the airplane doesn't have to fly, all these skin repair works will be done in a similar way to those performed on a car. So, although we'll follow the Structural Repair Manual, the severe and strict requirements necessary for aircraft in flight, won't be followed scrupulously.
-
Once that is completed, we would like to repaint the airplane with the Spantax classic colour scheme. Next will be cleaning and fixing the inside of the airplane. The passenger cabin is pretty well, it basically needs deep cleaning, but the cockpit was parted out and we need to search for spares.
You are here:
Home 
THE PROJECT EC-BZO Steps to follow
THE PROJECT EC-BZO Steps to follow
Steps to follow
