Agree. After all, SZD aircfaft have been flying for many years without
serious problems. They do have their weak-points, like the
airbrake-tube failures on the Puchacz, and the insecure winch-hook of
the Bocian, but then what doesn't have some repair-requirements? For
comparison looking at German bulletins reveals just as many, or maybe
more, directives to repair suspect parts. (Discus mainspars for
example!)

Th BGA CTO is now Jim Hammerton, and I get the impression he's
reluctant to commit himself to any definitive statement on the matter.


I also strongly suspect that Brussels has an evil hand in this, as
they have in so many things bureaucratic. The CAA generally don't
want any involvement with gliders, so I would be very surprised if
they had influenced the mandatory life-limitation.

Other than Polish aileron hinges wearing a bit quickly, I'm not aware of
anything that wouldn't pass muster at periodic, say 1000-hour, special
inspections following the intial 3000-hour life. Hopefully, said gliders
will continue to fly under the experimental condition inspections in the US
if they can't fly under TC, if they are impacted at all here.