BeechTalk - BT - Cirrus fails inspection because paint too thick?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 21 Sep 2017, 09:46

Username Protected wrote:

It very well could be due to lightning strike requirements. Too much paint over a conductive layer (I'm not sure what they use) prevents the strike from flowing quickly enough to prevent structural damage. Paint is resistive...which is bad in this instance! If the strike lingers it will blow right through the composite structure. That is especially frightening with a fuel tank in between...

Cirrus is faster than lightning.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 21 Sep 2017, 10:14

Username Protected wrote:

How does one ascertain paint thickness? What is the specification?

On a metallic surface it's measured with an instrument based on induction
On a non-metallic surface it's an acoustic-based instrument
The paint inspection on a locomotive takes about 20 hours. The consultants can really milk it.