Andy Posted September 13, 2015 Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 While washing the CT, I discovered a V-shaped nick on the underside of the horizontal stabilator, pilot's side. Photo is attached. It measures about 1/4" from one end font the "V" to the other and 1/8" at its widest point. After looking closely at it, it doesn't appear to completely penetrate the composite. For the moment, I'm assessing this as "cosmetic" as long as I don't see any further degradation or stress crack growth. Is there any reason anyone has for considering this more serious than that? If not, I intend to wait until the next "annual" in Mar 16 to go after a repair, assuming I don't see any change. Also, if anyone thinks I need to get my A&P here to do any kind of temp repair until then, I'd appreciate hearing about it, and any specifics you can give me would be very helpful. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted September 14, 2015 Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 If it is only through the gelcoat painted surface and not well into or through the carbon fiber you're good to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted September 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 I don't think it is but is there a way to confirm it? Is there a measurement I can use? Is there a small foam core behind that would show if the carbon fibre is penetrated? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted September 14, 2015 Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 Just use something like a nail or other pointed object. If it is only a surface blemish then no issue, but if the sharp point goes through then it should be repaired. It isn't a huge issue because FD has holes drilled all over for water drainage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted September 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 Thanks. Yeah, there are two drain holes not to far away from that blemish; so I know what you're talking about. I'll check it in the morning but I'm pretty sure it's just the gelcoat that's gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted September 14, 2015 Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 I would think the biggest problem would be crack propagation at the corners, only a problem if it penetrates as Roger mentioned. You could stop drill the ends or just drill it out to a single round hole if it's small, but probably best to let a composite specialist look at it in that case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredG Posted September 14, 2015 Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 If you have not done so already, take a photograph with a ruler next to the nick so you have documentation of its exact size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted September 14, 2015 Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 If it isn't all the way through which it doesn't look that way then it will not grow and carbon fiber with it's weave patterns shouldn't let it grow either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted September 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 Thanks, Bill. I did see that and will respond this evening. Thanks to everyone else who also responded. The chip is mainly gelcoat loss, though I do think there has been some penetration of the carbon fibre, maybe 20%-30%. It doesn't go all the way through and you can tell a huge difference between this nick and the water drain holes mentioned earlier. I'm not terribly worried about this but will see if there is some inexpensive way to get it repaired around here as able; my closest "composite repair specialist" (if you mean FD approved facility) is 3 hrs away by CT; while I do my annuals there, I'm not convinced this warrants the kind of time and expense going there takes. (We used to have a shop on the field that did composite work but they closed recently; not sure about the other shops here but have one or two I want to talk to plus a Rotax certified A&P plugged into the CT community on the west side of Houston I'll chat with this morning.) Frankly, I've covered the area with "go fast" tape for now to help do some "load shedding", keep the dirt and water out, and protect it from further "debris". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbigs Posted September 14, 2015 Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 I would think the biggest problem would be crack propagation at the corners, only a problem if it penetrates as Roger mentioned. You could stop drill the ends or just drill it out to a single round hole if it's small, but probably best to let a composite specialist look at it in that case. If it's SLSA you should not modify by drilling any part of the plane yourself. Take it to an A&P if you have concern and just get it repaired. Why wait? You said you are gonna do it anyway at annual time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted September 14, 2015 Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 If it's SLSA you should not modify by drilling any part of the plane yourself. Take it to an A&P if you have concern and just get it repaired. Why wait? You said you are gonna do it anyway at annual time. I guess I wasn't clear. I wasn't saying he should try a repair himself. I was just outlining a potential way to mitigate crack formation. As I said, a composite specialist needs to be consulted if there is significant damage to the fiber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted September 14, 2015 Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 Do what roger said, and then put a dab of epoxy on it if it's fine. The epoxy will keep cracks from forming and prevent fraying of the fibers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted September 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 If it's SLSA you should not modify by drilling any part of the plane yourself. Take it to an A&P if you have concern and just get it repaired. Why wait? You said you are gonna do it anyway at annual time. While this should be a simple repair, I'm going to be a bit picky about what A&P does the work. A botched job could result in a more extensive repair, one that might have to be done at an Flight Design approved service center. So, I've got to have some confidence that the A&P knows what he's doing and is plugged into the FD community before going there. My nearest FD approved center is two plus hours away by air; so it isn't something I'm going to just jump into, especially when there's no hurry to get it done. I have my annuals done there, so waiting may save me more than just an extra trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted September 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 Do what roger said, and then put a dab of epoxy on it if it's fine. The epoxy will keep cracks from forming and prevent fraying of the fibers. Copy that. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted September 14, 2015 Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 Copy that. Thanks. As an additional note, don't poke it. PROBE it (meaning, use a light touch). Use a magnifying glass and extra lighting if you need to. It is very easy to damage the fiber with a sharp object, it's weakest in the shear direction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbigs Posted September 14, 2015 Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 While this should be a simple repair, I'm going to be a bit picky about what A&P does the work. A botched job could result in a more extensive repair, one that might have to be done at an Flight Design approved service center. So, I've got to have some confidence that the A&P knows what he's doing and is plugged into the FD community before going there. My nearest FD approved center is two plus hours away by air; so it isn't something I'm going to just jump into, especially when there's no hurry to get it done. I have my annuals done there, so waiting may save me more than just an extra trip. By A&P I mean one with experience repairing carbon fiber and fiberglass hulls. Lone Mountain in Vegas has such mechanics. But you should not modify the aircraft yourself unless you want to tangle with safety, insurance and the manufacturer warranty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted September 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 Lone Mountain is a long way From Houston. Denton, TX, where US Aviation (actually CFDI Aero, now) is far enough. I'm well aware of where the lines are as far as what's permissible. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chanik Posted September 15, 2015 Report Share Posted September 15, 2015 If you ever need it, I do know of a spare CTSW stabilizer NIC (new in crate) that you could have cheap. I looked at it though and am pretty sure it needs the balance mod done so would have to go to Lone Mountain first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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