fuselage and tail drain holes

[learaviator]

I did several searches but could not really find the info. What are the thoughts on tailcone drain holes? My plane has a couple (50 170A) but they are on the backside of the bulk heads, where they do no good on the ground. What are the thoughts on installing one in the front of each bulkhead? Just in the skin, not through the bulkhead. Trying to clean out the tail, and before I start I see no where for water to go.

[blueldr]

I'd damn sure buy a hangar to keep my airplane out of the rain befoe I'd drill #40 hole in the bottom of it. Why worry? It never rains down there.

[learaviator]

You are right about the rain, it does it so seldom we usually just stand in it. Actually, I am twanting to wash out the tailcone, it is filthy. And I want to treat it with alumiprep and alodine it. It would sure make it all easier if I could just wash it out with a hose. I have seen some posts about Co2 entering the cabin and some mention was made about closing up the holes they had to try and prevent that. I would make sure that I put snap plugs in them when I was finished.

[GAHorn]

Presuming your buikheads aren't clogged up with trash, they should allow the water to progress to the rear and drain. But if you wanted to add some 3/32" holes immediately forward of bulkheads, it's a common thing to do in many aircraft. If you're "persnickety"... alodine the hole after you drill it.

[learaviator]

Thanks George, I didn't want to do it and then here all the reasons I shouldn't have.

[learaviator]

I'd damn sure buy a hangar to keep my airplane out of the rain befoe I'd drill #40 hole in the bottom of it. Why worry? It never rains down there.

I actually do have it in a hangar, my boss lets me keep it in one of his. Working for him for 24 years is paying off........