The gliding centre’s main tug for aerotowing is a Pawnee, a type of aircraft originally designed for crop spraying, and built from the late 1950’s ’til around 1981. Because of its powerful engine, it’s a popular choice as a tug plane with gliding clubs around the world.
A recent Airworthiness Directive (AD) mandated inspection of the wing spars to ensure there was no hidden corrosion present, and until this work was carried out we had to ground our Pawnee and use an alternative tug plane instead.
As well as a one-off inspection, we needed to fit new removeable inspection panels on the underside of the wings, so that the wing spars can be inspected regularly in line with BGA guidance in future.
Last weekend, all the necessary work was completed, and it was time to get enough people together in the hangar to get the wings back on the aircraft, ready for its final inspection and return to service.
