Looking to install a rubber leading edge on the horizontal stab of my Sportsman. I would like to do what I see on several of the cessnas but can’t seem to find it.

I have the clear 3m protection material on there now but it’s just not enough protection. The rubber on the cessnas is a touch thicker and is black in color. If someone could send me a link on where to pick it up that would be perfect.
Garrett

This is at Aircraft Spruce.

CESSNA BOOT 1232040-5

Cheers,
Dave

Thanks Dave for the reply.

I found this website that has neoprene rubber in just about any thickness and length. See any reason this would not work?

https://rubbersheetwarehouse.com/produc ... 1540261187

On aircraft spruce the Cessna product says 6” wide and 3/32” thick in the comments section. Also neoprene rubber.

$33 bucks compared to $130. Experimental aircraft.

More expensive I know, but I prefer the real airfoil shaped stuff. Its thicker and has the right shape and lasts much much longer. Cessna P/N S1938-3-68.00.

Thanks for the part number. When you say the correct airfoil what is it? Does the rubber lay flat onto the leading edge or is there a cavity between the boot and leading edge? I’ve tried looking for pics and think I found one but it looks like it’s attached straight to the leading edge without a gap.

A1Skinner wrote:More expensive I know, but I prefer the real airfoil shaped stuff. Its thicker and has the right shape and lasts much much longer. Cessna P/N S1938-3-68.00.

What he said, it's pre-shaped so it adheres much better and tends to also stay adhered much better.

torquen wrote:Thanks for the part number. When you say the correct airfoil what is it? Does the rubber lay flat onto the leading edge or is there a cavity between the boot and leading edge? I’ve tried looking for pics and think I found one but it looks like it’s attached straight to the leading edge without a gap.

There is no gap. It just gets thicker and is pre formed so it provides the shape and still glues on fully. Here's a picture that shows the cross section.

Isn’t that formed leading edge example a Cessna Service Kit?
Dave

Dogsbody wrote:Isn’t that formed leading edge example a Cessna Service Kit?
Dave

I've never seen it as part of a kit. I have ordered it as a single part many times. 2 of them per plane and done a few installs. The part number I provided is just a single part, not a kit.

Here is what I was thinking of, Cessna Service Kit AK182-217J
Here is a link:
https://support.cessna.com/custsupt/con ... s_id=33645

I started out in a shop that was a Cessna Service Center. We installed a few of these. Not sure if they are still available but worth a phone call to a Cessna Service Center to bird dog.

Dave

Dogsbody wrote:Here is what I was thinking of, Cessna Service Kit AK182-217J
Here is a link:
https://support.cessna.com/custsupt/con ... s_id=33645

I started out in a shop that was a Cessna Service Center. We installed a few of these. Not sure if they are still available but worth a phone call to a Cessna Service Center to bird dog.

Dave

Looking at that kit they call out the P/N of the boots you listed. What else was included in the kit to make it a kit vs just installing the boots?

Looks like some cement and instructions to install.

A-1,
I was at a Service Center, we installed the Service Kits. I don’t know what the cost breakdown was.
Dave

Garrett
I just had my first summer in the Idaho backcountry with my Sportsman and I came upon this thread while searching for something to protect the leading edge of my horizontal stabilizer. What I have right now - seems like some kind of plastic tape - it's not going to hold up. It's already broken off in some areas.
I was wondering what you ended up doing. Did you get the rubber from Aircraft Spruce? If so, how is it holding up after a couple of years? Do you have any photos?

Thanks
Prasantha