Good Day All,

I have a small crack forming in the paint on the leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer. It has been inspected by an AME. It is a small crack in the paint/finishing compound.

He has suggested that maybe i could apply some "boots" to the leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer.

Anyone have any experience with these boots and can recommend a product? Also i have seen and heard of people using leading edge "tape". Any comments? Are these products approved for use .i.e. STC?

Thanks

Macdon221

I know that abrasion boots are shown in my 205's parts and service manual. As a factory option, no STC...just a logbook entry. Talked to my mechanic and he said 5 hours labor. I've yet to price the boots. But for the time being, it's on the back burner as I have other things I need to spend that money on.

I imagine opinions might vary, but does tape even require an entry? Sailplanes use tape from one end to another with no entry, or manual, or description in the mel or other documents. Fabric planes routinely use tape for temporary repairs. Permanently attached boots, ok...but tape?

The stuff works reasonably well to keep small nicks and paint chips at bay off the struts and tail. It stays green once it gets grass blasted on it, though.

The cessna rubber boots are a molded aerofoil shape and work very well but make sure you use 1300L adhesive and preferably seal the edges with PRC or a good quality RTV. Also touch up any chips in the paint first with a primer to stop corrosion. I've also used flat neoprene rubber with good results. The 3M tapes work well for abrasion but won't stop a rock

Thanks for all the info,

Does any one have a part number or a link to a supplier that sells these boots for a 73 182P?

Thanks


Macdon221

Let me know what you find in trying to buy the boots. I spent a little time yesterday trying to locate someone that has them and wasn't having much luck.

Well, If you want the thick black stuff, I think this is it...

http://www.chiefaircraft.com/3m-51-4.html

Cessna part number is S1938-3-68, these are 68 inch long, use 3M 1300L adhesive to install and Goodrich de-ice cement A-56-B to seal the edge, the abrasion strip you can order from any Cessna dealer or on-line, and the cements you can get on-line from skygeek.com