Seeing what opinions are out there for the safest way to crawl in the tail of a 172 (or any single cessna).
I've heard use a plank on the bulkhead frame. Iv heard don't put weight in the skin, Iv heard stay off the bulkhead frames...
Just fishing for thoughts/opinions.

My breathing is going shallow just imagining climbing back there….

Sorry I’m not more help.

Done it several times over the years, throw a folded up blanket in there and crawl in very carefully. Spread your weight around on the blanket and look before you move. You have to put your weight on either the bulkheads or the skin, there's nothing else in there, so keep it spread across more than 1 bulkhead and avoid the skin.

I sliced pool noodles halfway thru, placed them over the bulkheads and then a 2 x 10 plank on top of the noodles.

Mapleflt wrote:I sliced pool noodles halfway thru, placed them over the bulkheads and then a 2 x 10 plank on top of the noodles.

I like that!!! If you do an annual on one, you gotta get back there. I've used the blanket and I've used a chunk of plywood. Either seems to work just fine. I used to be really clostrophobic....then I worked on airplanes...you'll get used to it.
John

I have an old seat cushion that I throw in and use for going down tails. Everything from 150s to 206s. I'm skinny which helps. You may want to put a tail stand under it depending on how heavy you are.

I should have also added that I support the tail on a stand to help carry the weight. It also avoids any risk of ending up head down, feet up and having to work my way backwards "uphill".

The padding on bulkheads and boards method is the least likely to cause damag for sure. I have also used a bathroom fan, with dryer duct hose, to blow into an inspection hole at the back. It’s a small space when using solvent to clean gunge or you have gas or whatever.
The tail stand is an absolute requirement though. Crawling backwards uphill is probably about to become the new workout fad on you tube but otherwise sucks.

Oh I like the fan suggestion; that's a new SOP for me now, thanks

Thanks for the input!

Iv had one guy say avoid the bulkheads and spread your weight over the blanket cover skins
then another guy say don't touch the skins and weight only on the bulkheads...

at least they both say "gotta support the tail!".

During a major mod I packed the bays between the bulkheads with rigid foam insulation cut roughly to fit. Then a blanket over top to blend it together. Comfortable and safe for the aircraft and the technician.

I just so happen to have a ton of insulation foam board from a basement project laying around. Time to put it to good use! Thanks!

Make sure you take your cell phone with you so you can call for help when you get stuck

That explains the skeleton... The previous owner said one day he just stopped hearing from his A&P.