Will the Blanik L-23's join the L-13's reaching their end as well?

On Saturday, September 14, 2013 12:14:25 AM UTC-6, wrote:
I'm considering buying one, but hesitant to do so in regards to the L-13's being permanently grounded. I have a lot of people telling me that the problems the FAA had with the L-13, are now transferring over to its sister ship, the L-23. And that the L-23's are soon to be completely worthless.



I have an opportunity to buy one for very cheap, almost too good to be true. Are people giving these away now to avoid the inevitable?



Looking for any answers.

The L-23 is not an L-13. Some L-13's were returned to the factory for modification of the wing root and designated L-13A1, essentially the wing modification employed in the L-23. Those were granted a 5000 hour service life by EASA and returned to service. The STC is similar to that work. As noted in another post, the service life is 6000 hours, modified by usage, configuration, and launch method. That service life is based on 35 percent dual, 65 percent solo, which is a rather funny profile for a trainer.

Frank Whiteley

On Saturday, September 14, 2013 8:53:08 PM UTC-6, Frank Whiteley wrote:
On Saturday, September 14, 2013 12:14:25 AM UTC-6, wrote:

I'm considering buying one, but hesitant to do so in regards to the L-13's being permanently grounded. I have a lot of people telling me that the problems the FAA had with the L-13, are now transferring over to its sister ship, the L-23. And that the L-23's are soon to be completely worthless.







I have an opportunity to buy one for very cheap, almost too good to be true. Are people giving these away now to avoid the inevitable?







Looking for any answers.



The L-23 is not an L-13. Some L-13's were returned to the factory for modification of the wing root and designated L-13A1, essentially the wing modification employed in the L-23. Those were granted a 5000 hour service life by EASA and returned to service. The STC is similar to that work. As noted in another post, the service life is 6000 hours, modified by usage, configuration, and launch method. That service life is based on 35 percent dual, 65 percent solo, which is a rather funny profile for a trainer.



Frank Whiteley

One can either get mad at LET for unreasonably restricting the lifespan of our gliders or respect them for being honest about the safe lifespan of their gliders. I prefer knowing the life limits up front rather than taking chances with an airframe whose manufacturer made no information available.

Take the airframe life as it is and plan purchase decisions accordingly.