Tip Wand Awareness

[SHGA Communications]

With the increased use of tip wands in gliders comes more anecdotal evidence of tip wand failure and control issues. A glider was recently reported radically uncontrollable due to asymmetrical tip wands.

"There remained the question of why Tejas's shiny new Aeros Discus...should have become almost completely uncontrollable."

http://www.wingsofrogallo.org/cgi-bin/y ... 1157399144

Others report actual wand breaks in flight with very little problem. In any case, tip wands are subject to deterioration, cracks, incorrect installation, bends and sudden failure while maneuvering.

It seems safe to say they should not be be taken for granted, but accorded special consideration in the pre-flight checklist.

More at:

http://ozreport.com/forum//viewtopic.php?t=4038

and

http://ozreport.com/forum//viewtopic.ph ... 8be6e8958a