For those with no Microsoft Word:
Europa Tailplane Attachment
A problem with the security of the tailplane sleeve TP6, as a result of
play in the pins securing the drive plates TP12 (with the two pins which
engage in the tailplane root), has been identified. Europa Aircraft is
presently working on a Service Bulletin which will describle how to
eliminate the play, and every Europa owner will be sent a copy when a
sensible solution has been approved.
In the mean time, before next flight, as part of each daily check, carry
out the following:-
1. Check whether there is any sign of any looseness of the TP6 bush
in either tailplane half. With pip pins in place, grasp each tailplane
half and apply a spanwise force. Then try wiggling the tailplane half
up and down, and twisting it. There should be not relative movement
between the pip-pin and its recess in the composite tailplane.
2. Check that both spigot pins of the TP12 drives plates are fully
engaged into the matching holes in each tailplane root rib.
3. Check whether there is any sign of looseness of the TP12 drive
plate assemblies on the TP4 torque tube. To check this, apply opposing
up/down forces on the port and starboard tailplane trailing edges (not
the tab) and note the amount of free-play between the two tailplane
halves. This free-play should typically be no more than =BD" measured at
the trailing edge. Now remove both tailplane retaining pip-pins and
repeat the test. There should be no change in the amount of free-play.
If there is greater free-play with the pip-pins removed then it
indicates that the pip-pins are having to contribute to carrying
torsional loads, and the TP6 bushes are likely to come loose if
corrective action is not taken.
RE-INSTALL THE PIP-PINS BEFORE FURTHER FLIGHT!
If the above checks shown that either or both tailplane bushes
have become dis-bonded from the composite tailplane structures, (check 1
above) or that the spigot pins are not fully engaged in the tailplane
root ribs, (check 2 above) or that there are signs of excessive
free-play developing in the attachment of the TP12 drive plates to the
TP4 torque tube (check 3 above), then:
a. DO NOT FLY the aircraft
b. Put an attention-getting note in the cockpit to indicate
that it is grounded pending essential maintenance work.
2 February, 1999
> -----Original Message-----
> Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 1999 05:30
> To: europa@avnet.co.uk
> Subject: EUROPA TAILPLANE ATTACHMENT
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For those with no Microsoft Word:
Europa Tailplane Attachment
A problem with the security of the tailplane sleeve TP6, as a result of play in
the pins securing the drive plates TP12 (with the two pins which engage in the
tailplane root), has been identified. Europa Aircraft is presently working on
a Service Bulletin which will describle how to eliminate the play, and every
Europa owner will be sent a copy when a sensible solution has been approved.
In the mean time, before next flight, as part of each daily check, carry out the
following:-
1. Check whether there is any sign of any looseness of the TP6 bush in either
tailplane
half. With pip pins in place, grasp each tailplane half and apply a spanwise
force. Then try wiggling the tailplane half up and down, and twisting
it. There should be not relative movement between the pip-pin and its recess in
the composite tailplane.
2. Check that both spigot pins of the TP12 drives plates are fully engaged into
the matching holes in each tailplane root rib.
3. Check whether there is any sign of looseness of the TP12 drive plate
assemblies
on the TP4 torque tube. To check this, apply opposing up/down forces on the
port and starboard tailplane trailing edges (not the tab) and note the amount
of free-play between the two tailplane halves. This free-play should typically
be no more than =BD" measured at the trailing edge. Now remove both tailplane
retaining pip-pins and repeat the test. There should be no change in the amount
of free-play. If there is greater free-play with the pip-pins removed then
it indicates that the pip-pins are having to contribute to carrying torsional
loads, and the TP6 bushes are likely to come loose if corrective action is not
taken.
RE-INSTALL THE PIP-PINS BEFORE FURTHER FLIGHT!
If the above checks shown that either or both tailplane bushes have become
dis-bonded
---From the composite tailplane structures, (check 1 above) or that the spigot
pins are not fully engaged in the tailplane root ribs, (check 2 above) or
that there are signs of excessive free-play developing in the attachment of the
TP12 drive plates to the TP4 torque tube (check 3 above), then:
a. DO NOT FLY the aircraft
b. Put an attention-getting note in the cockpit to indicate that it is grounded
pending essential maintenance work.
2 February, 1999
-----Original Message-----
From: Andy Draper [<A HREF"mailto:ANDY@europa-aircraft.co.uk";
TARGET"_blank">mailto:ANDY@europa-aircraft.co.uk]
Subject: EUROPA TAILPLANE ATTACHMENT
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