After looking at some of the damage flying gravel has caused, I'm looking for a generic rubber boot that I can adhere to the leading edge of my H. stab and elevator for the Wilga. Here are some pics of the carnage.
Any suggestions appreciated!

Thanks,
Ryan

Call Seaplanes North in Anchorage. That is where I got mine from. Spendy, but bomber. It looks like your leading edge profile is similar to the profile of the Cessna 170/180/185/206.

Cessna Horizontal stabilizer rubber abrasion boot. Don't have part number handy, but they do.

Seaplanes North
907-248-7070

Somebody needs to walk the field, that was preventable FAD!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_object_damage

8GCBC wrote:Somebody needs to walk the field, that was preventable FAD!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_object_damage

I hope you're joking...

xdillonx wrote:

8GCBC wrote:Somebody needs to walk the field, that was preventable FAD!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_object_damage

I hope you're joking...

Where did you get it? Landing or taking off? Looks like you were applying power?

8GCBC wrote:Somebody needs to walk the field, that was preventable FAD!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_object_damage

Send them in by jeep or ATV.

Zzz wrote:

8GCBC wrote:Somebody needs to walk the field, that was preventable FAD!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_object_damage

Send them in by jeep or ATV.

If your adding power on the ground ... You have already landed? Looks preventable.

8GCBC wrote:

Zzz wrote:

8GCBC wrote:Somebody needs to walk the field, that was preventable FAD!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_object_damage

Send them in by jeep or ATV.

If your adding power on the ground ... You have already landed? Looks preventable.

My experience is that most elevator leading edge dings are from rocks kicked up by tires, not the prop. The size of rock that does that damages generally doesn't get moved by the prop but a soft bushwheel or a grooved tire will pitch em like a tennis ball machine.

Not much you can do about that when landing off airport. Certainly it's wise to examine your unimproved takeoff area if your feet are already on the ground, and don't do static runups.

I agree ZZZ tires kick things up way more than props! Tires are what usually throw the rocks into the props also.
I use some 3M PVC tape about 4 inches wide on mine, does not cure the problem but helps with the little ones.

You guys want to bet it was TO or landing? Look at the freeking evidence!

Preventable.

8GCBC wrote:You guys want to bet it was TO or landing? Look at the freeking evidence!

Preventable.

I'm curious your forensic pathology based on these photos. Tires kick up rocks on both takeoff and landing. It's why these are needed but we're all afraid to run them because they're ugly or there's no STC.



I think props are mostly a danger to themselves based on sucking small rocks/debris in the "cone of suction" in front of the aircraft. But then I've only had one ding and it was on landing, the rest of my opinions are based on reading here, so take with salt.

Zzz wrote:

8GCBC wrote:You guys want to bet it was TO or landing? Look at the freeking evidence!

Preventable.

I'm curious your forensic pathology based on these photos. Tires kick up rocks on both takeoff and landing.

The strike looks pretty deep for TIRE FOD, unless the aircraft touched down at 100KTS (In that case the tail would have been 6' off the ground)?

I would be curious if anybody witnessed it? I am betting T.O. run.

Show us the tires! That'll tell most of it.

8GCBC wrote:

Zzz wrote:

8GCBC wrote:You guys want to bet it was TO or landing? Look at the freeking evidence!

Preventable.

I'm curious your forensic pathology based on these photos. Tires kick up rocks on both takeoff and landing.

The strike looks pretty deep for TIRE FOD, unless the aircraft touched down at 100KTS (In that case the tail would have been 6' off the ground)?

I would be curious if anybody witnessed it? I am betting T.O. run.

So your saying that a deep dent is because the prop threw it up? A tire will throw up way bigger FOD then a prop. Just ask the guys who get 6" rocks thrown up into their horizontal. A prop could never do that, a tire easily could. I'm betting it was tire FOD because it is deep.

I have had my worst tail damage on landing. Bent flying wires, torn fabric and abused horizontal leading edge.
The boots are a great idea.
If you don't fly into rough enough places, don't judge the pilot.
If it's that rough coming in it'll probably be rough coming out.

Foreign objects! Hahahaha!

F.O.D.-

Fu€£\~¥ Obvious Damage.

A1Skinner wrote:So your saying that a deep dent is because the prop threw it up? A tire will throw up way bigger FOD then a prop. Just ask the guys who get 6" rocks thrown up into their horizontal. A prop could never do that, a tire easily could. I'm betting it was tire FOD because it is deep.

Glad my 31136.R tires never threw a 6" rock into my tail. Good tale!

Read through the old forum posts. There's more then one story like this.

A1Skinner wrote:Read through the old forum posts. There's more then one story like this.

For my own knowledge, I would like to know what phase of operation; take-off or landing?

Being an A&P I have heard some interesting stories from owners with similar damage! Some actually true.

As mentioned above, get the Cessna leading edge protector. It has a big bumper on the front to keep the dents to a minimum.
Keep that beautiful Wilga from getting beat up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZgIaMNi8UI