Alexander Schleicher & Co. Segelflugzeugbau TN No. 29 original issue dated 01 Ju

[Frank Post]

Hi all owners of ASW 15 sailplanes,
Especially serial numbers 15001 through 15183 (inclusive).

Have you seen this EASA AD, would you please share you thoughts on repair options before
the ASW15 bonfire starts



https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/21-095

https://www.alexander-schleicher.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/150_WA_G_I_E.pdf
https://www.alexander-schleicher.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/150_WA_G_I_D.pdf

https://www.alexander-schleicher.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/150_TM29_E-1.pdf
https://www.alexander-schleicher.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/150_TM29_D-1.pdf

https://www.alexander-schleicher.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/150_TM29_E_HB.pdf
https://www.alexander-schleicher.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/150_TM29_D_HB.pdf

[Andrew Logan]

Hi
My glider (serial 61) has just failed the inspection. I have been provided with a quote for the replacement parts which work out at £1330 pounds with a delivery of 4-6 weeks - but only after the factory returns off holiday on the 13th August. I realise that the defects need to be rectified, but what hurts most is that the TN has been issued in the middle of the summer season. The
Labour cost involved is not too bad. The total cost however makes the decision to scrap or repair a difficult one. I intend to have my 3,000 hr inspection carried out early. I don’t want to carry out the TN repair and then incur extra costs if the 3k turns nasty (although signs are good  on my glider)
I understand the a number of 15 owners have already decided to repair

[Selvam]

Hi,

My ASW15 (serial No 53) also failed the inspection due to cracks on the wing root ribs. I would like to get it repaired provided it is viable.

If anyone had this repair done on their gilder, where was it done (who done the repair), I spoken few inspectors who are qualifed to undertake this repair, however not willing to taken on the repair.

I would like to save my glider rather then scrap it, really appreciate it if someone come back on this .

Many thanks.

[Andrew Logan]

Hi Salvem
We have been exchanging emails as regards our situation.
Schleicher have just advised 6-8 weeks from now for delivery e works, due to high demand for the kit
Please keep me informed of progress with you repair intentions
Andrew

[Shane Grieve]

I'm in the USA mine is currently getting repaired estimate of 6 to 8 weeks. Parts from Schieicher arrived within 4 weeks and cost ~1100 USD, the labor estimate is 8k.

[Adam Howell]

Hi All,
I was wondering if anyone who has done the  repair has any plans/photos of the drilling jig for the lift pin bushes?


Thanks
Adam

[Adam Howell]

Hi All
Could someone please tell me or show me what a stell pin is? it is mentioned in the repair instruction for tn 29
lifting pin drilling jig


Thanks
Adam

[Andrew Logan]

Hello all

My glider has just returned from the UK Schleicher agent after being repaired IAW TN29

Mine is the second 15 they have repaired. In their workshop was two others undergoing the same task, with two more to follow.

I have learnt some useful information in the last few months:

1. Having the opportunity to have an even better view inside the wings has revealed that on all the gliders the condition of the spars are very good - happily on mine - it looks very good.
2. Maybe some good has come of this tough situation and maybe we as ASW15 owners can finally ‘lay to rest’ the tarnished reputation of this glider as regards its installation of Balsa (caused I still believe by an excessive situation experienced by an Australian aircraft in transit -  if someone could tell us the true story I would be pleased to learn fact from fiction)
3. I do not know of any other 15 having a balsa problem in the UK - or even Europe
4. Other gliders of the same era have balsa in the wings but mention this to the owners they try to avoid the subject
5 I can only refer to the comments made by our BGA Chief Technical Officer ( the guy incidentally who started off our Glue investigation programme) in a recent Webinair. He thinks Balsa is actually a very good spar medium. It’s a bit heavy and cost more to obtain and work on, but his main point is that it is now being used extensively on wind turbines. (One of the reasons it has now become very expensive)
Come on guys - reasons to feel good about our lovely and well admired gliders
Andrew

[Peter Mylett]

Sorry to be the bringer of Bad news - Just received this from the British Gliding association
Dear ASW15 owner

We have 49 ASW 15 in the BGA airworthiness system. A recent mandatory EASA AD applied to all ASW15 built with wooden wing root ribs, see link. 150 TM 29 E (alexander-schleicher.de) the serial numbers effected are 15001 up to 15183

However we have found 2 later serial number ASW15B to have wooden ribs. These gliders should not had wooden wing root ribs.  Both had cracks and failed the AD.  The 2 effected sailplanes are SN 1588 and SN15191. The original EASA AD only applies to sailplanes built before 15183.

As a result we are not convinced the original EASA AD serial numbers are accurate,  and need  to perform a fleet check on the entire BGA ASW15 fleet that was included in the AD serial numbers,  to ascertain if they have wooden ribs. If they do have wooden ribs then they must be grounded until the AD is performed. Please inform the BGA regardless of the results.If your sailplane fails the AD, contact the agent Zulu Glasstek (zulu-glasstek.co.uk) for the parts and repair options.
Kind regards

Will be getting ASW15b G-CHGF (Serial no 15264)  wings checked tomorrow