Scudrunners

C180 / 182 / 185 tail inspections for cracks.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documen ... -airplanes

You done this already, Nark?

Interesting since cracks in the tail of 180/185 has been known about for at least 50 years. When I started flying the company I flew for did not allow external loads on all cessna aircraft because of tail issues from the added vibration. Even the beaver had to have a tail rebuild after every season because of external loads. The only 2 aircraft in our fleet at that time seemed to have no issues maintenance wise was the Beach and the whoredyne. I can also say first hand a beaver flew like shit with 2 boats -- haha -- the beach, well, 5 canoes at once, 4 outside and one in the cabin -- damn 4 at once was a $20 bonus.

As is quite common, the FAA is making an AD in respect of a manufacturer service bulletin
with of course some modifications.

Basically, the FAA is saying you must perform what the manufacturer suggested.

These airplanes are all getting so old ... I'm surprised the type certificates don't have
calendar and flight time limits.

Reading through it, it appears to make the SB an AD, with a few extra inspection criteria. I'll double check with my IA, but he just wrapped an annual 2 weeks ago.

My 182, just barely squeaks by. It's a '66 K. I think after the 182D the vert stab was the "slanted" kind, rather than the iconic straight tail of the 180's and 185's.

I wonder if that Quebec company that had 180 kit planes is still around... After all it's only money right?

I was off. The "C" and subsequent 182's have the slanted tail.
Interesting the proposed AD only covers the C and D's and not subsequent models.

The FAA is continually amending and re-issuing AD's adding additional
makes and models and engines and airframes. To the rest of us, it is
quite mysterious how some aircraft require inspection, but nearly
identical ones don't - even if they've led a much more severe life in
much harsher conditions.

Mike Busch (master's in mathematics) works with the FAA to sort this
kind of thing out. He did the work of the missionary on the twin Cessna
exhaust AD.

Tail stayed on. Inshallah, next flight it will too.