Welcome! Becoming a registered user of ShortWingPipers.Org is free and easy! Click the "Register" link found in the upper right hand corner of this screen. It's easy and you can then join the fun posting and learning about Short Wing Pipers!

Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Tail Feathers

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Utah
    Posts
    169
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Tail Feathers

    I have a extra set of tail feather for my PA-22-150 and I am recovering them. I am looking for recommendations for where I should apply chaff tape before covering my horizontal stabs. Also what about stitching?

    Thanks

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Frederick MD
    Posts
    1,947
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Tail Feathers

    If you have the drawing CD, I believe there is a drawing for that. Drawing 12648


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Last edited by dgapilot; 06-07-2020 at 02:44 PM.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Utah
    Posts
    169
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Tail Feathers

    Quote Originally Posted by dgapilot View Post
    If you have the drawing CD, I believe there is a drawing for that. Drawing 12648


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Yup found it, and it tells where the lacing goes but doesn't mention chaff tape, I don't think. I will look again. Also calls for fabric disc over the lacing and i assume i can use full length tapes.

    Thank you !!

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Frederick MD
    Posts
    1,947
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Tail Feathers

    The more tape, the more weight you add.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  5. #5
    Stephen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Lopez Island, WA
    Posts
    4,140
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Tail Feathers

    Using small patches is the easiest method.
    "You can only tie the record for flying low."

  6. #6
    JPerkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Hudson, Maine
    Posts
    1,046
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Tail Feathers

    I dont remember needing chafe on the tail surfaces. I would recommend gluing a strip of fabric around the little reinforcement wires at the tips (a picture would explain this so easily) and the trailing edge tube (leading edge tube on the front of counterbalance). This prevents the wire from vibrating and breaking leaving the loose end to rattle against the fabric.
    Glue one end of the fabric to the tube, wrap it over the wire and glue the other end to itself where its glued to tube. Heat shrink just enough to put the slightest bit of tension on it.
    I've seen chafe tape used for this but it winds up drying out, breaking and then the wire is left to vibrate and break.

    Sent from my SM-G930V using ShortWingPipers.Org mobile app

  7. #7
    Administrator Steve Pierce's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Graham, Texas, United States
    Posts
    15,454
    Post Thanks / Like
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Tail Feathers

    Quote Originally Posted by JPerkins View Post
    I dont remember needing chafe on the tail surfaces. I would recommend gluing a strip of fabric around the little reinforcement wires at the tips (a picture would explain this so easily) and the trailing edge tube (leading edge tube on the front of counterbalance). This prevents the wire from vibrating and breaking leaving the loose end to rattle against the fabric.
    Glue one end of the fabric to the tube, wrap it over the wire and glue the other end to itself where its glued to tube. Heat shrink just enough to put the slightest bit of tension on it.
    I've seen chafe tape used for this but it winds up drying out, breaking and then the wire is left to vibrate and break.

    Sent from my SM-G930V using ShortWingPipers.Org mobile app
    Correct. Piper used masking tape and it is shown on the drawing. A 1" strip of fabric tape glued and shrunk will last a lifetime and put the proper tension on the wire so it doesn't vibrate and crack at the weld. I know of no other places that need anti-chafe protection. I like 2" tapes vs the dollar patches because over time the fabric drums and paint tends to crack over the ribs. The full tape adds reinforcement to help eliminate the cracking issue.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •