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- Aug 5, 2008
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Hello All,
Have had our Pitts for a few months, and we pulled off the cowling for first oil change this week. All nut plates riveted to aft edge of lower nose bowl are showing signs of distress. The top ones on either side are broken off. Obviously this is an area of high loads and vibration, and rivets through the thin flange of fiberglass are not the best idea. The two that are broken have been repaired previously (patch on back side) or they were reinforced when the nose bowl was new. Aviat wants almost $600 for the lower nose bowl alone.
Is this a problem with other Pitts airplanes? Has anyone come up with a workable and durable repair for this problem? We are thinking about setting an aluminum plate in a bed of epoxy or JB weld on the back side. Nut plate would then be attached to aluminum with longer screw if necessary. Outside of the flange could then be brought back to the original profile with more JB weld.
I've included some photos. I would appreciate any suggestions from others. Anybody know of another more affordable source for a replacement nosebowl? Thanks.
