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02-21-2018, 07:31 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 5
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Before Further Flight?
My RV 12 is here in Marco Island for the month, far from its home base in Marysville, OH and my Rotax/RV12 qualified shop in Delaware, OH. I concur as to some confusion in the wording of SB 10-02-02 (in no small measure owing to my lack of builder/repair skills). In particular it takes some effort to determine where the ?inspection? for cracks begins and ends, and where the ?fix? begins. This post raises a good question on the scope of the inspection ? is it required to fully remove the stabilator and spar brackets before conducting the inspection, or is it sufficient to bore scope, magnaflux or penetrant dye the spar area with just the tail cone fairings removed? I am very fortunate to have a master mechanic willing to do whatever is required, including fabricating the new parts and installing the full fix. But, it would be much more efficient if an inspection could be done short of removing the stabilator assembly. Because if no cracks are found, we can button up the fairings and fly until next annual/100 hours. I guess the bottom line issue is ? can the SB be read to permit a compliant inspection without removing the stabilator? Given the SB?s admonition about the potential difficulty in discovering any cracks, would this be safe in any event? My RV was built and flew the end of 2013, and has now 200 hours; always hangared. Thank you for any advice.
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02-21-2018, 09:17 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 1,024
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Exercoupeguy...in order to do the SB inspection the Stabilator needs to be removed and parts disassembled in order to inspect for cracks...according to the SB.
Things you need to know...
For SLSA RV12s the SB is required to be done.
For ELSA RV12s the SB is not mandatory for further flight, per the regulations, but recommended.
In my opinion...
Inspecting according to the SB without actually making the SB repair, would be a waste of time, since you would have to do it all over again. (Unless you are using it for training or something and need to get it flying again right away.)
Inspecting by only removing the fairings to look at the HS spar would not even begin to cover what the SB details.
So far, according to the previous posters, only high time RV12s have shown cracks, but that may not really mean anything, depending on how individual planes have been treated.
It is legal to continue flying an ELSA RV12 with this SB not completed, and I'm sure many ELSA RV12 owners will continue to do so until they get the parts and decide to do the SB.
So, you need to decide what is prudent, for you.
Just my 2cents worth
__________________
Steve Formhals
A&P, Tech Counselor & Flight Advisor
RV3B
RV8
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02-21-2018, 10:45 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 5
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Thank you for the sound advice. I am very fortunate to have an experienced mechanic ready in the next couple of days to open things up and install the sb fix.
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02-21-2018, 06:33 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 128
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sf3543
Exercoupeguy...in order to do the SB inspection the Stabilator needs to be removed and parts disassembled in order to inspect for cracks...according to the SB.
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I'd like to see Van's publish an official ruling/clarification of this. The wording in the SB is vague regarding initial inspection requirements. Are you suggesting that the entire fleet of RV-12's be grounded immediately (including at remote airports) until the stab is removed, hinges removed, dye penetrant applied and inspected? That is unreasonable at best. The SB requires that the mod be performed at the NEXT 100 hour/condition/annual if no cracks are found in the visual inspection. That makes sense.
__________________
Bob Walden (Waldo), CFII-ASMEL, Commercial Glider
KFFC "Falcon RV Squadron" Peachtree City, GA
RV-7A Tip-Up, IO-390, 700+ Hours
EAA/AOPA/Vans Air Force 2020 Supporter
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02-21-2018, 08:14 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rswalden
Are you suggesting that the entire fleet of RV-12's be grounded immediately (including at remote airports) until the stab is removed, hinges removed, dye penetrant applied and inspected? That is unreasonable at best.
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No (at least not in a binding regulatory sense).
An E-LSA RV-12 owner is not bound to follow any inspection requirement published in a S.B. An E-LSA owner can make their own determination regarding what is an appropriate action for their airplane.
S-LSA is bound to follow it.
Most people would consider it also unreasonable if Van's was very casual about the inspection requirement, and someone died because of it.
This is a very new discovery with not a lot of information yet, and evidence of an airplane with less than 1/3rd the hours of the prototype, having cracks worse than the prototype (the cracks in the SB document photos) added to the uncertainty.
When dealing with uncertainty's, a very conservative approach is the right approach.
__________________
Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.
Scott McDaniels
Van's Aircraft Engineering Prototype Shop Manager
Hubbard, Oregon
RV-6A (aka "Junkyard Special ")
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02-22-2018, 06:32 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Kentucky Lakes area in KY
Posts: 947
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Stab Bearings
I plan to order the parts for SB 18-02-02 and SB 18-02-03.
I would also like to order parts for the SB 16-08-01 stab bearings service bulletin, which brings up 3 questions:
1: What are the MS 21256-1 Lock Clips. I saw no mention of them in the SB. Do I need them? And, if so where do they go?
2: Two different bearing are mentioned: (1) VA146 replacement or (2) Bearing DW4K2X.
I will have the stab off, and I will be removing the current bearings. Is it best to reinstall with the locktite, or just replace them with the new Bearing DW4K2X ? Since I will have them out anyway, I would like to perform the best fix.
Thanks. Any thoughts or help in understanding will be greatly appreciated.
Tom
__________________
2013- RV12, Kit #119. N123M First flight Nov21. It's a keeper!
1998- RV-9 tail kit, built and sold
1989- RV-6 tail kit, built and sold
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02-22-2018, 07:42 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Gloversville, NY
Posts: 1,587
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The clips are used to lock the turnbuckles in the stabilator cables. You will need at least one if you elect to relieve the tension in the cables to facilitate reconnecting them. (Because the original will most likely be destroyed removing it.)
It?s a standard part, cheap, and a good idea to have a few on hand if you do your own work.
__________________
John Peck, CFII, A&P, EAA Tech Counselor, Flight Advisor.
?Master Pilot? Award, UFO Member.
RV-12 N37JP 120176 Flying since 2012.
One Week Wonder Build Team, OSH 2018.
VAF paid through 10/2019.
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02-22-2018, 07:51 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: arvada, co
Posts: 445
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For what it?s worth
Tom,
I was following the same logic and concerns so I spoke with Support and parts at Vans on Wednesday.
What I learned was first if you followed the SB procedure on SB 16..... involving the bearing and if it checked out good no need to replace it. The new bearing is no different than the current bearing, and my choice is if it’s not broken or not a new design improvement, I’m not going to mess with it. Your choice however.
The clips mentioned are for the adjustment turnbuckle/s of the cables to the stabilator accessed through the belly inspection holes. These lock the turnbuckle after the correct tension is achieved. Parts at Vans said two clips are included with the parts for SB 18-02-02 in case there is a need to readjustment the cables after inspection or compliance of this SB. However this will only accommodate one turnbuckle
Hope this helps.
__________________
Patrick Claar
Arvada, CO BJC
RV12, #401, Flying 2013, N612PC
RV6, 1996-2010 sold
Last edited by funflying : 02-22-2018 at 07:53 AM.
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02-22-2018, 08:28 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Fall City, WA
Posts: 138
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My A & P and I removed my stabilator, inspected the spar and found no cracks. We will proceed with installing the band-aids when the parts arrive, hopefully today so I can get back in the air. My RV12 has 250 hours, is hangared and I place a gust lock on when parked outside.
__________________
B2RV12
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02-22-2018, 10:01 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Kentucky Lakes area in KY
Posts: 947
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigJohn
The clips are used to lock the turnbuckles in the stabilator cables. You will need at least one if you elect to relieve the tension in the cables to facilitate reconnecting them. (Because the original will most likely be destroyed removing it.)
It?s a standard part, cheap, and a good idea to have a few on hand if you do your own work.
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Thanks John. That answers the clip question.
Still looking for guidance on the bearings, per my post #57 above.
Tom
__________________
2013- RV12, Kit #119. N123M First flight Nov21. It's a keeper!
1998- RV-9 tail kit, built and sold
1989- RV-6 tail kit, built and sold
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