Composites

Our interest in gliders got us into the composite repair business. XU Aviation Ltd. is virtually the only repair shop in Canada that repairs composite gliders. Repairs to composites are one of our specialties.

The term 'composite' is often used when someone is describing a new aircraft design. But what is it that they are referring to? In this case, composite means the use of more than one raw material to create something.

Generally two materials are used, one being plastic and the other a fiber. By itself, the plastic is easy to mold into a shape, but lacks to strength to make an aircraft out of; therefore, a fibrous material is added for strength.

In the case of glass fiber, the resulting composite is glass fiber reinforced plastics (GFRP) or for greater strength carbon fiber is added resulting in carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). There are other exotic fiber materials used, but generally composite glider and light aircraft production use GFRP with some CFRP which is used strategically for its' greater strength - carbon is much more expensive. 

Composite homebuilts have been around for a while now and there are more and more certified factory built aircraft being made of composites. When Diamond Aircraft opened up their plant at the same airport as XU Aviation Ltd. We eventually worked there for a period of time. While at Diamond, our staff members contributed their skills to the production and support of the DA20 Katana. In the process, we learned everything there is to know about how the Katana is built and subsequently how best to repair it.

To see some pictures of a Katana repair, follow the navigation bar on the side to Diamond Aircraft

Here are some pictures of an ASW-15 repair