The stabilator control cables attach to the torque tube assembly at the forward end of the tube at the balance weight.History Info Featured Articles Knowledge Base Aviation News Aviation Alerts Videos Annual Checklist Forum Piper Models Piper Singles Piper Cubs Piper PA-11, PA-12, PA-14 Piper Short Wings Piper PA-18 Super Cub Piper PA-24 Comanche Piper Pawnees Piper PA-28 Cherokees Piper PA-32 Series Piper PA-38 Tomahawk Piper M Series Piper Twins Piper PA-23 ApacheAztec Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche Piper PA-31 Series Piper PA-34 Seneca Piper PA-42 Cheyenne Piper PA-44 Seminole Piper Other Piper Yellow Pages About Contact us Mission Statement Our Values Who We Are Membership Benefits FAQs Testimonials Talk to us 626-844-0125 Piper Flyer Association - Technical Know-how, Serious Fun read more Comanche Stabilator Horn Inspection Featured Written by STEVE ELLS.
Print 1 2 3 4 5 (2 votes) facebook google twitter pinterest email Piper PA-24 Comanches are subject to AD 2012-17-06, which requires inspection of the stabilator horn for cracks and corrosion. APIA Steve Ells describes proper procedures for removal, inspection and reinstallation. June 22, 2011, the FAA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that asked all concerned parties to comment on a proposed AD. The proposed AD would mandate an initial inspection of the stabilator horn assembly for cracks and corrosion on Piper PA-24, PA-24-250 and PA-24-260 Comanche single-engine airplanes. Darker than black episodesAfter the initial inspection, replacement or continued inspection would be required. Since I am the happy owner of a 1960 PA-24, I followed this closely. Comanche owners contributed many comments seeking to relieve andor clarify the requirements of the original NPRM. Some suggested that the FAA make changes due to mitigating factors such as the wall thickness of the stabilator torque tube, nut-tightening torque values on the bolts that secure the horn to the torque tube and other concerns. The NPRM was written because cracks had been found in several stabilator horns. The submitted comments were well-regarded by the FAA and raised valid points. After changes and updates, AD 2012-17-06 was issued Aug. Piper Aztec Full On TheThe review of the initial proposed rule, the comments, names of the commenters and the FAAs responses to the commenters can be read in full on the FAAs website. A link to the page is in Resources. Ed.) AD 2012-17-06 and Piper Service Bulletin No. April 29, 2010) A little over five years ago, in early January 2013, I pulled the stabilator horn assembly on my Comanche and drove it over to Johnston Aircraft in Tulare, California, for the initial inspection. In my opinion, Johnston ranks right up there with three other Comanche shops in the country. Piper Aztec How To Remove TheI watched as Charles Gazarek at Johnston showed me how to remove the aluminum horn and then perform the inspection steps mandated by the AD. This horn is an aluminum part that connects the stabilator torque tube to the cables that control aircraft pitch through the horn assembly. The horn assembly consists of the horn, a tube (Piper Part No. Part No. 23175-00). The torque tube is secured to the aft bulkhead of the fuselage by four bolts that hold bearing block assemblies in place. The stabilators slide over the torque tube and are secured by two bolts on each side. The AD calls for an initial inspection, and then repetitive inspections every five years or 500 hours TIS, whichever comes sooner. The horn must be removed from the aircraft and inspected for cracks by dye penetrant or other means. The timeline for complying with the initial inspection requirement of the AD varies based on the age and origin of the horn. ![]() The repetitive inspection can be terminated by installation of whats known as the Aussie horn, which is a stronger replacement horn that was developed in Australia and is approved for installation by a STC. For more on this alternative, see the sidebar on Page 28. Ed.) Pull those tailfeathers Removing my left and right stabilators was easy. The author, Steve Ells, is an APIA. Repair work such as this must be performed or supervised by an authorized mechanic. Ed.) I removed the two close-tolerance (AN175) corrosion-resistant bolts on each side that I installed to comply with a previous AD (AD 74-13-03 R1) and slid both stabilators off the torque tube. They slid right off since I had cleaned and polished the tubes and applied a light coat of LPS-2 prior to reinstallation five years ago.
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