Stabilator Horn Update

by **Harley McGatha** » Mon May 12, 2008 10:50 pm

The stabilator horn production process for "raw material" has been approved by the FAA and the horns will now go to the machine shop and final assembly for the tube to be pressed into the stab. horn.

We do not have a set price but Piper said that if CFF gave them an order for 100 pcs then they would manufacture the assemblies. Piper is to mark up the assemblies by 10% and show me the breakdown of cost. Originally CFF was to pay for the tooling but now Piper may pay for and keep the tooling. The total run of assemblies will be 140 pcs with Piper keeping the other 40 assemblies to sell through their distributors.

As soon as I know something else, I will give everyone an update.

Harley McGatha, CFF President

by **Harley McGatha** » Mon May 12, 2008 11:04 pm

Another Picture of the horn

by **Chuck Lee** » Wed May 14, 2008 11:24 pm

by **Harley McGatha** » Thu May 15, 2008 1:28 pm

by **Zach Grant L1011jock** » Thu May 15, 2008 2:53 pm

Harley,
If they are planning on that, we better "suggest" to them that they figure the pricing based on about 4000 units so that it is affordable, and they better make enough to have lots in stock! I would hope they would reconsider and make it just a service bullitin. I do not beleive the type needs another recurring 1000 hr AD.

-Zach

by **Harley McGatha** » Thu May 15, 2008 3:45 pm

Zach,
We really don't know the final outcome until it actually comes out, but originally it was going to be a SB not an AD. Piper did imply that it would more than likely be an AD after the assemblies were available.

The small quantity initial-run makes since, the FAA will be approving the process and the quicker turn-around would be important.

I will try to fly down to Vero Beach, FL when they have a finished assembly.

Harley

by **aiu0462** » Thu May 15, 2008 7:53 pm

So....is there a list to get on to get one of the first?? If so, put my name down.
Thanks,
Steve

by **Chuck Lee** » Thu May 15, 2008 10:37 pm

Hi Harley

First I would like to say how much I appreciate, and I hope I speak for the rest of ICS (even those who think they got gypped), all the effort you have done for us in working with Piper.

However before you go as I remember Hans' numbers from the "old" forum the percentage of failed horns to inspected was low. I had mine done, it was fine but very expensive. Please do not get me wrong as I am all for safety but if this is going to be like our main spar AD inspection of years ago I say wait and be sure there is a problem or is it some fools not taking care of their airplanes.

Best personal regards

Chuck Lee

by **aiu0462** » Sat May 17, 2008 4:58 am

Chuck,
Put yourself in my place for a minute. I paid for being able to research an aiplane before I purchased. The old web site had so much information I could search and all of a sudden, it was gone. Unlike most of you, I did not have history with the airplane. Well that's not true, in another life I had about 300 hours in one, but that was a lot of years ago. So, to loose all that, upset me because now I have to ask a lot of sometime dumb questions. HOWEVER, because of Zach and several others here that have been kind enough to be so forth coming with all their knowledge, I don't think renewal is a problem anymore. I do appreciat everyones help in getting me through this new purchase. I love this airplane. If I made you take afront to my comments, I apologise. Frustration level was running high at the time. Hope this helps.
Steve

by **Chuck Lee** » Mon May 19, 2008 11:57 pm

Hi Steve

I was in your place, except it was twenty years ago. The same concerns now as were then the difference being now we have e-mail and internet web sites and then we had telephones and the post office. What is the same is wonderful people of ICS. You had Zach, Jay and Rich via e-mail and I had Maurice Taylor via the telephone.

Sadly Maurice is no longer with us however, his knowledge is. And thru the good effords of ICS it is available to all. Now we also have Zach and Hans and Jay and Skip and all the many fine people who each have knowledge and experience and are willing to share with us.

By these discussions the forum will be rebuilt because the bits and bytes can be held hostage but not our minds and our desire to help our friends.

In my fifty years of flying my membership in ICS has been my best return on investment.

Welcome to ICS Steve and I hope to meet you soon at a fly in.

Chuck Lee

by **Harley McGatha** » Tue May 20, 2008 12:21 am

Steve,
I hope you do decide to join us at RYV then to OSH. We will be having seminars all week long.
I have really enjoyed our trip to OSH and seeing everyone especially now that some younger blood is coming alone to help us old folks. I just turned 52 last Thursday and remember when I was the only 35 year old in the group. Now, I feel very priviledged to have known so many great people in comanche land.
Harley

by **IO720** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:09 pm

I've always thought that the manufacturer can't issue an AD, only the FAA can. The most the manufacturer can do is issue a Service Bulletin. Am I misinformed?

Rick Mascari

by **ics-12766** » Tue May 20, 2008 9:00 pm

by **Hansmeister** » Fri May 23, 2008 4:21 am

Initially, the FAA issued the SAIB on the torque tubes. Then, Piper issued a Service Bulletin. However, the FAA's position is that the torque tube is a maintenance related problem, not an airworthiness problem. Hence, no AD.

I demonstrated that the torque tube (an unserviceable unit) was capable of reacting design limit load 105 times, and design ultimate load once without failure.

The FAA knows we are working the horn problem, and do believe that they will refrain from an AD unless someone crashes, and its traced to a horn failure.

by **Ben Ayalon** » Fri May 23, 2008 10:33 am