Dale Crane's Oral and Practical Exam Guide: Airframe questions with correct answers

What reference material may be used for acceptable covering methods for fabric-covered aircraft structure? CORRECT ANSWER AC 43.13-1B, Chapter 2 What are three types of fabric that can be used to cover an aircraft? CORRECT ANSWER Cotton fabric, polyester fabric, and glass fabric What paperwork must be completed if an aircraft that was originally covered with Grade-A cotton fabric is re-covered using a synthetic fabric? CORRECT ANSWER -The covering must be done according to a Supplemental Type Certificate, and a Form 337 must be executed, stating that all materials and processes complied with the requirements of the STC -There are three ways to gain FAA approval to re-cover an aircraft with materials and processes other than those with which it was originally certificated. One is to do the work in accordance with an approved supplemental type certificate (STC). The STC must specify that it is for the particular aircraft model in question. It states in detail exactly what alternate materials must be used and what procedure(s) must be followed. Deviation from the STC data in any way renders the aircraft unairworthy. The holder of the STC typically sells the materials and the use of the STC to the person wishing to re-cover the aircraft. The second way to gain approval to re-cover an aircraft with different materials and processes is with a field approval. A field approval is a one-time approval issued by the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) permitting the materials and procedures requested to replace those of the original manufacturer. A field approval request is made on FAA Form 337. A thorough description of the materials and processes must be submitted with proof that, when the alteration is completed, the aircraft meets or exceeds the performance parameters set forth by the original type certificate. The third way is for a manufacturer to secure approval through the Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) for a new process. For example, Piper Aircraft Co. originally covered their PA-18s in cotton. Later, they secured approval to recover their aircraft with Dacon fabric. Recov