Rudder Damage

[Kyle]

Well, I returned from the airport yesterday a bit unhappy. Seems as though my trusty "rudder movement reduction device" has a flaw. The piece of leather that surronds my tail lamp streched. This allowed the leather piece to slip over the light and down the back side of the lower rudder skin. Last week we had really high winds (even for the outer Cape in late fall) and the rudder working back and forth, with the leather stuck on the skin, cracked both sides evenly at the point the skin creases out to allow it to fit over the lower rib assembly.

Option one according to Cessna is we can do a patch refrencing the current production singles SRM (structural repair Manual) section on corrugated skin repairs and use that as acceptable data for our FAA form 337. We also would be required to balance per that same manual section.

Option two is to re-skin the lower section, not have to balance, and according to a search and some prior posts - do or not do a 337. It seemed like thier was not a concenses on the correct (or shall I say legal requirement) method to satisfy the FSDO.

Cessna has both skins we would need:

1) LH 0533000-14 = $179
2) RH 0533000-15 = $168

Also from researching the site I see that Mr. Karl Anderson was a recommended source. Would like to find the best source for the most reasonable price. Although I have to say I was anticipating a much higher figure if it was even available from Cessna. I don't have what's required to post the photo's I took yesterday but if someone is willing I can e-mail them and perhaps a reader can post them for discussion. I'm inclined to re-skin...

Your thoughts ???

[GAHorn]

Send a picture to Del Lehmann, Mountain Airframe, Mena AR
mountainairframe@earthlink.net

[mrpibb]

Hi Kyle,
Give Eric at Hampton a call, I think he may have a rudder to loan you and or repair yours, if anything offer suggestions on what to do.
He seems to live for this stuff, I know I dont.

[Kyle]

Thanks Vic,

I'll give him a shout. I also e-mailed Del and will see what his recomendations are as well. Really nice having all this knowledge around...

Happy Turkey Day to all

[jon s blocker]

I would think that reskinning any part, or all of a control surface, would require you to balance that surface. I would plan on balancing the rudder, It's a piece of cake and since it would be off the plane, not a problem. Is the surface Painted? If so it will never be the same weight as before. Just my thoughts. Jon