Hi Europa Builders from the deep cold south,
In regard to the recent tragic events and the PFA Airworthiness
Information that eventuated from it, I decided to go ahead with a quick
fix to the Tailplane pip-pin recess.
I am one of those 'non compliance' builders with regard to the recess,
using, like many others I think, a circular plastic plumbers end fitting
with a screw top end. See photo. Sent to me by a UK builder back in
1997!!!
This circular recess entered the tailplane touching TP 6 Sleeve with a
screw top lid. I found, to my horror, that the position of the pip-pin
head could just about move the distance of the TP12 bushes if the TP 6
outboard sleeve became loose. I did not have any bid over the TP 6
Sleeve as per the manual. It was necessary therefore to have a backup
and not allow the head of the pip-pin to move at all restraining the
tailplane from moving outwards.
I cut 2 x 16mm diameter aluminium tube to fit over the pip-pin head and
glued those into position to the TP6 sleeve. I established those
positions by wrapping insulating tape around the pip-pin head to
increase their diameter to fit snugly into the tube and installing the
pip-pin in the TP6 sleeve. I put grease on the insulating tape to stop
gluing the pip-pin to the tube just in case. I then filled the
surrounding area within the circular plastic fitting with epoxy plus
flox up to the level of the aluminium tube holding the pip-pin.
On one of the tailplanes I had to use a PVC tube( increasing the
diameter slightly by using black insulating tape, greased the tape,) and
placed it in the TP4 hole to form a circular floor (boundary) up against
the TP4 ceiling where the floor broke through the blue foam to stop flox
running into the TP 4 cavity.
See photos to make better sense. I had another Europa builder visit
today to check it out.He liked it. The tailplanes can now only move
1/2mm before the head comes up against the aluminium tube sides as a
good backup.
Email me if you think you may do likewise and need some help.
Cheers,
Tim
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