Im not sure if we are thinking along the same lines - I mentioned this
idea before but nobody picked up on it.
A very simple solution would be to drop a long pin (9" long by about
1/4" DIA) through the top of the rib root closeout, behind the TP 12
drive plate and through the bottom closeout. This could be secured at
the bottom with a sprung split pin and would prevent any outward
movement of the tailplanes.
The pin might need to be made of a hardened material rather than mild
steel (to resist bending) - the TP12 drive plates would provide a degree
of support.
The pin would not need to pass through the TP4 torque tube itself but
could be either forward or aft of it or both - 2 pins (IHMO excessive
!!). Through the centre of the torque tube might be better but this
could weaken the torque tube - Europa/ PFA would need to look into this.
It would probably be necessary to drill holes through the TP4 flanges
(which face inboard) but I cant see this weakening the drive plates to
any significant degree.
To ensure the pin didnt pull through the glass closeout, small plates
could be bonded and riveted to the undersides of the tailplane closeouts
where the pin passes through it.
IHMO this would be a relatively cheap alternative and about as failsafe
as one could wish for. Installation time less than one hour.
Possibly a tad unsightly with the pin head protruding above the
tailplane surface (this could be recessed) but 100% effective.
Carl Pattinson
G-LABS
----- Original Message -----
From: R.C.Harrison
To: europa-list@matronics.com
Sent: Saturday, July 14, 2007 1:00 AM
Subject: RE: Europa-List: Tailplane Retention.
Hi! Mike ...the threaded rod would need to "negotiate" past the
central drive pins.
What has happened to Stabilator retention mod. which I saw which has
spring levers which drop behind the drive plates when rigging?
Regards
Bob Harrison.
Robt.C.Harrison
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Mike Parkin
Sent: 13 July 2007 18:59
To: Europa-List@Matronics.Com
Subject: Europa-List: Tailplane Retention.
Well it looks like this problem is not going to be over anytime soon.
I'm domestically grounded, having been flooded out in the June rains - I
suspect it will be 2008 before G-JULZ flies again. It seems to me that
Mod 73 is a 'sticking plaster' solution while they find something
better. For once I totally support the PFA while they try and make our
aircraft a safer machine.
Here is an idea that might be fairly easy to implement.
How about threaded bar going right through the torque shaft. Some
nicely glassed reinforced recesses in the tip of each tailplane, a
couple of nuts and some neat covers to hide it all.
Just thinking out of the box....... Anyone got any better ideas.
regards,
Mike
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