need help on the tail ??

[tim]

ok my dad and i have two different oppinions. about what to do about covering the tail or leaveing part of it open . i think that if i leave it open it will be better by no water build up ,inspect things easier. now my dad thinks that its better to close it up and to use the small inspection holes to look in to ???

[Guest]

Re: need help on the tail ??

hmm, I covered mine and put in inspection covers like your dad wants to BUT I cut big drain holes in the bottom (above the leaf spring) , the holes are maybe an inch wide and a few inches long

[Dan Mahalak]

Re: need help on the tail ??

i just opened mine up.
If you keep it open, then you can have a nice tie down point (around the vert stab) at the top of the leaf spring...esp if your running a scott tailwheel.

[tim]

Re: need help on the tail ??

ok thanks and i am going to use a scot tail wheel its a 3000

[Robert Lees]

Re: need help on the tail ??

I kept the sides of the tail closed, but the small triangle on the belly fabric (where the tail leaf springs go) open, so that debris etc could be fished out.

I also have an inspection ring on the belly fabric forward of the leaf spring, but have not cut it open yet.

Rob

[8708]

Re: need help on the tail ??

Hi Rob,
Do you have a photo of how you closed off the tail? I would be interested in seeing what you describe.
Thanks!
Jay
Midland, TX

[Robert Lees]

Re: need help on the tail ??

I'll have a look.

Rob

[Robert Lees]

Re: need help on the tail ??

Here's the opening I left in the lower fuselage. There remains a gap between the longerons & the leaf springs, so there's lots of ventilation:

[8708]

Re: need help on the tail ??

Hi Rob,
That is a great idea. I like the larger opening to allow ventilation.
Thanks for posting the photo!
Jay

[high time cub]

Re: need help on the tail ??

If you decide to go "open tail"...... be sure to stencil "welcome" in very small letters next to the portal. A small red carpet 1-inch X 12 inches would be a nice addition! Velvet ropes optional. A slice of cheese or a smear of peanut butter on the spars would certainly be a gracious invitation.

If you decide to go "open tail"...... stuff some foam rubber in there after flying and/or set the tail in the center of one of those 4 foot diameter, plastic kids' wading pools. The reverse lip on the
pool is hard to traverse.

http://disney.go.com/characters/mickey/index.html

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: need help on the tail ??

I keep my tail up on a metal stand which seems to keep my oil pressure "up" immediately too. I never thought about "climbing" mice and the idea of a pan of something disgusting to mice for the stand to sit in might be a good idea. A friend of mine (Earnie Bryant) had to keep his plane tied out and used a roll around bar stool he tied the tail to, to keep the tail up for wind. Wings don't lift if the angle of attack is low.
We had a small tornado came through that ripped a Cub next to him apart but only broke an aileron hinge fitting on the Taylorcraft (one of the stinking cast Mag ones) on the side a few feet from the cub. I gave him an extra one I had and he was back up in no time.
The covers and the tail stand on his plane were credited with saving his plane when most around him had pretty bad damage. As a bonus, his insurance company gave him a "hangar rate" because his tie downs and tail stand worked so well.
Hank

[VictorBravo]

Re: need help on the tail ??

Can't there be some kind of stainless window screeen type material glued over that opening with RTV or something, allowing the ventilation/draining and still keeping out uninvited guests?

If you decide to go "open tail"...... be sure to stencil "welcome" in very small letters next to the portal.

[Robert Lees]

Re: need help on the tail ??

Can't there be some kind of stainless window screeen type material

Sure, excellent idea. I can do that...I'm in the UK. Can you in FAA-land?

[crispy critter]

Re: need help on the tail ??

what they don't know won't hurt them Rob.lol

[Robert Lees]

Re: need help on the tail ??