Garrett Gee Posted August 22, 2020 Report Share Posted August 22, 2020 I ran into a bit of a conundrum today. I am in the process of starting my condition inspection, and am doing an owner assist with a local A&P. I started to pull fairings, cowlings, open access panels, etc, and was starting to lube controls when I went to move the stabilator and heard a rubbing/grinding noise. I listened for where it sounded like it was coming from, and determined it was forward of where all of the bearings and control rods/cables are. After some serious digging around and contorting, while looking in through the baggage compartment, I saw a dirt dauber nest on what I assume is the counter weight of the stabilator. It is rubbing against an opening in the tail section of the plane. Long story short, I am going to have to remove it. Any thoughts on a way to get back there and remove it without having to remove the entire stabilator. I am a small guy, but even I am going to have a hard time getting back there to knock it off. I don't want to knock it off and then not be able to get it out either. On that topic, anyone know of any good covers for the rear of the plane? I am thinking something like a towel, but I want something extremely visible to prevent it being missed or forgotten during preflight. I always do a control check, but still... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Posted August 22, 2020 Report Share Posted August 22, 2020 Got a picture ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrett Gee Posted August 22, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2020 I didn't think about it at the time, but I'll grab one next time I go to the airplane. I looked in the manual, and did confirm it is on the the forward (the side that would be facing the rear of the baggage compartment) side of the stabilator counterweight. I pulled this from the FD manual, and the yellow arrow points to where it is. It is on the forward face of the weight. Gonna be a pain to get to, me thinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tip Posted August 22, 2020 Report Share Posted August 22, 2020 I would try attaching a plastic pipe to a shop vac. As you probe it, the vacuum will carry away the mud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrett Gee Posted August 22, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2020 22 minutes ago, Tip said: I would try attaching a plastic pipe to a shop vac. As you probe it, the vacuum will carry away the mud. Now that, is a good idea. I don't know why I didn't think of that. Just bought a new shop vac about a month ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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