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Thread: Clipper horizontal sab and elevators wanted

  1. #1

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    Default Clipper horizontal sab and elevators wanted

    My Clipper project came with balanced tail feathers (PA20/22) and I'd like to trade them for a set of unbalanced tail feathers. Prefer mid-Atlantic area so shipping won't be needed. The ones I have are covered and have clear dope and tapes, but was done sometime in the 1990s. PM me if you have a set to trade!

  2. #2
    Administrator Steve Pierce's Avatar
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    Default Re: Clipper horizontal sab and elevators wanted

    If it helps they are the same tail feathers as a J3 and PA11. There is an STC to install the PA20 & 22 balanced tail feathers on the PA11 which is a nice mod with the 85 and 90 hp engine relieving the elevator stick pressures. Works well on the 90 hp Super Cub as well although I did that mod on a field approval years ago and has to go through engineering now. We never had an issue with stick pressures on the Clipper with anything from the stock 108 hp up thru 160.

  3. #3

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    Default Re: Clipper horizontal sab and elevators wanted

    Steve, no idea why the previous owner got the balanced control surfaces. There aren’t any records with the project (except the FAA file), so no approval. Looks like J-3, PA-11, PA-12, PA-16, PA-18-95, and PA-18-105 Special all used the same unbalanced elevators and stabilizers.

    Since it’s my own airplane, I can’t do my own Field Approvals under my DAR, and I’d prefer not to do a DER Approval as I don’t want it to appear as a conflict of interest. You are correct in that the Job Aid paragraph D.2 indicates “changes that alter the movable control surfaces that affect the dynamic and/or static balance, alter the aerodynamic contour of movable control surfaces, or change the weight distribution.” Are supposed to be STC projects. Paragraph 4 of the front matter to the job aid provides a method for reclassification from STC that goes through the FSDO and the ACO. I think I could write up a report that would justify the reclassification. My FSDO Managing Specialist (inspector) is good to work with, and is willing to help. Unusual in today’s FAA! In any case I’d rather not screw up an already well harmonized control system if I don’t have to. I’d prefer to put the correct control surfaces on and save the Field Approval fight for more important things!


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