c-152 rudder???

i really need to start this by saying i know absolutely nothing new or
bad about any aircraft. i'm sure not trying to start any rumors. in
fact, this may be something that y'all have already chewed on but...

the outfit i rent from is just down the taxiway from "air aces" at
houston-hooks where they've had a horrible time with wings coming off
airplanes lately.

in talking about that, one of the people at my base....not at "aces"...
told me they have been hearing about faa looking into a structural
problem with c-152 rudders. since they've got several and since i'm
almost certainly going to be buying one in the next few months we're
kinda curious about what might be going on.

anybody???


dan

in talking about that, one of the people at my base....not at
"aces"...
told me they have been hearing about faa looking into a structural
problem with c-152 rudders. since they've got several and since i'm
almost certainly going to be buying one in the next few months we're
kinda curious about what might be going on.

Of the thousands that have been built and flown hard as trainers, a few
dozen have developed some cracks that were found on inspections (not by
the tail coming off - that never happened on any C-150 or C-152) and
there's going to be an inspection required for cracks (may already be
out) on a periodic basis. This type of AD is very common on all-metal
airplanes and not a big deal.

BTW - you should consider the Tomahawk if you are in the market for a
C-152. Generally more bang for the buck, roomier, better visibility,
carries more fuel, and a bit faster. Not as good for soft/rough fields
though.

Michael

tomahawk??? ya got me....i'll google it. thx


dan

Oh, the Trauma-hawk. If there has ever been a plane plagued with AD's up
the ass, this is the one.

--
www.geocities.com/ralphsnart2004/index.html

"houstondan" wrote in message
oups.com...
tomahawk??? ya got me....i'll google it. thx


dan

ok, i found the tomahawk. nope, living in houston, i just think the
sun beating down on me thru that bubble would be too much. i've talked
to people here who say it's pretty bad. it does look like a great a/c
tho.


dan

living in houston, i just think the
sun beating down on me thru that bubble would be too much.

Your call, of course, but before you make the decision, you might drive
on over to Pearland Regional (formerly Clover) and fly one of Mike
King's when summer comes around. I've never found it to be a problem
because on the ground it's easy to keep the doors open, and once
airborne the ventilation is excellent.

I've seen Tommy's with low time engines and airframes and good IFR
panels going for $20K.

Michael

i'll check it out. do apppreciate the input.

dan

The vertical fin on a C-150 is held on to the fuselage with a welded
steel bracket riveted into the aluminum structure. The welds are in
the corners where the stress is highest. The steel undergoes galvanic
corrosion when it is close to aluminum. These aircraft are being used
well beyond their original intended lifetime and this steel fitting was
cracked in the welds on the two 150s I'm familiar with. I thought it
was a recent AD or at least a recent service letter. They were
certainly not airworthy.

This should be checked at annual on any 150 since it is an area of
known service difficulty.

The 172s don't have this problem with the bracket as it is an aluminum
forging - not prone to corrosion.

It would be one thing to lose a rudder, but losing both the rudder and
vertical fin would be pretty exciting. It would be even worse if the
rudder cables kept the separated surfaces attached to the rest of the
airplane.

"houstondan" wrote in message
oups.com...
i really need to start this by saying i know absolutely nothing new or
bad about any aircraft. i'm sure not trying to start any rumors. in
fact, this may be something that y'all have already chewed on but...

the outfit i rent from is just down the taxiway from "air aces" at
houston-hooks where they've had a horrible time with wings coming off
airplanes lately.

in talking about that, one of the people at my base....not at "aces"...
told me they have been hearing about faa looking into a structural
problem with c-152 rudders. since they've got several and since i'm
almost certainly going to be buying one in the next few months we're
kinda curious about what might be going on.

anybody???


dan

Check out the following link:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/Sy...8/4-00/536.htm
It seems if the rudder stop is deformed, it is possible that when you go to
full rudder deflection, to catch on the deformed rudder stop, which locks
the rudder hard-over. Moral: make sure the rudder stops are properly set
and in good structural condition. FAA has been contemplating an AD for a
while. Just be proactive. Make the rudder stops and the lower rudder horns
a walk-around item.

J. Severyn

excellent help...thx


dan