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10-07-2010, 08:51 AM
Jack Ardoyno | Big Tail Failures
At the Splashin, Oct 2, 3 and 4, 2010 we received testimony about two significant failures of the "Big Tail", an after market horizontal tail/elevator, assembly designed, manufactured and sold by Craig Easter for the Seawind.
Dick Silva attended and wishes that we emphasize that this is not an OEM part and that the increased size is not necessary and is downright dangerous.
I believe all who had personal experience with the two failures (the Seawinds of Guillaume DeRamel and John Parks), myself included, agree with this assessment.
The original design is quite sufficient in vertical authority.
We agree that the "Big Tail"'s larger size is unwarranted.
We believe, after investigating the failures, that the cause of the failures was most likely due to flutter induced by fiberglass joint failures, caused by poor workmanship.
We, therefore, strongly recommend that:
If you have a "Big Tail" and have not installed it, do not install it on your Seawind.
If you have installed the "Big Tail" on your Seawind, remove it and re-install the OEM tail/elevator combination.
Planemakers will be able to help with this as they have assisted in rectifying both of the known failures.
Jack
Jack Ardoyno | Big Tail Failures
At the Splashin, Oct 2, 3 and 4, 2010 we received testimony about two significant failures of the "Big Tail", an after market horizontal tail/elevator, assembly designed, manufactured and sold by Craig Easter for the Seawind.
Dick Silva attended and wishes that we emphasize that this is not an OEM part and that the increased size is not necessary and is downright dangerous.
I believe all who had personal experience with the two failures (the Seawinds of Guillaume DeRamel and John Parks), myself included, agree with this assessment.
The original design is quite sufficient in vertical authority.
We agree that the "Big Tail"'s larger size is unwarranted.
We believe, after investigating the failures, that the cause of the failures was most likely due to flutter induced by fiberglass joint failures, caused by poor workmanship.
We, therefore, strongly recommend that:
If you have a "Big Tail" and have not installed it, do not install it on your Seawind.
If you have installed the "Big Tail" on your Seawind, remove it and re-install the OEM tail/elevator combination.
Planemakers will be able to help with this as they have assisted in rectifying both of the known failures.
Jack