Lifespan of 70s and 80s composite gliders

[duffy7]

Hi everybody,

I am still looking into buying a glider for myself. Due to budget a new glider will not be possible, but I would be willing to pay for something in the range of a DG-400 or an LS-6. All These planes are build in the 70s and 80s, how much time do you think they have left (regardeless of how many hours they flew, and assuming they were never stressed above their limits)? Steel obviously can rust and wood can mold.

Are there any things that could corode a composite aircraft or could I potentially still fly a plane build in 1982 in 30 years?

 

[Piotrsko]

I have a couple from 1974 that I still can fly, once I get all the dust and dirt off them. Not a lot of electrolytics inside so if they power up all is good. If I could score a #6 battery, I could fly the 60's plane transmitter is 12v (?). Ymmv.
Monocote gets stiff and non flexible but the airframe underneath doesn't age if kept clean and dry. Keep a roll of thin clear package tape to repair holes, but it isn't fuelproof

Flex them slightly. Anything that cracks or makes noise is suspect otherwise risk is negligible

Edit: old not "S" fiberglass fuses warp. So site down the fuse to see it is straight. Unless you like flying in large circles

 

[Merv]

...could I potentially still fly a plane build in 1982 in 30 years?

Yes, time is not the problem, condition is. I'd look it over carefully, looking for any hidden damage, but hidden damage has nothing to do with age. You can just as easily damage a new plane as on older one. Lightly stress each part of the plane by pressing, pulling or twisting it, looking for any abnormal movement, you want to mimic flight loads Just like you should after a crash. If the air frame is solid, fly it. If not repair it.

Time has never damaged one of my planes, the ground has, but not time.