[Paul462]

African 337,

Thanks! We have similar aircraft - we're flying a T337C. You are correct in that the only way to inspect the cables is to remove them. There are two per side which hold the flaps DOWN - these, of course, are the critical ones. There is also one cable per side to hold the flaps UP - these are much less of an airworthiness concern where a cable breaks in flight.

Once the four important DOWN cables have been removed for inspection, one might as well replace them. The cable and end connectors can be easily had, and then the only thing one needs is an A&P with a big swedger, and voila! four new fabricated cables for not much money.

I've heard of one operator of several 337s in Australia who does this routinely every year with his fleet of 337s.