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- Dec 27, 2017
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My airplane has a patch on the bottom part of the rudder. I am going to try to get a good picture, but for now, just imagine the bottom part of the rudder having an exterior patch sort of wrapped around it and riveted on. It looks like a quality repair to me and was logged into the logbook in 1983. Its literally been there for 35 years. The airplane was painted in 1988 and it obviously has THAT paint on it.
The mechanic I brought on my prebuy didn't say a word about it and said it wasn't a problem. The airplane has been through 30+ annuals since then.
But, I am being told now that this is an illegal patch and that if the FAA found it they would ground the airplane!! Something about it being on a balanced surface.
So, this airplane made it through 35 of it's 44 years with this patch and multiple mechanics signed it off for annual. But now, after I bought it, it's an illegal patch in need of a real repair.
Can someone fill me in on this?
Here is a picture. Look at the bottom of the rudder. Looks like a small trim tab, but obviously its not.
The mechanic I brought on my prebuy didn't say a word about it and said it wasn't a problem. The airplane has been through 30+ annuals since then.
But, I am being told now that this is an illegal patch and that if the FAA found it they would ground the airplane!! Something about it being on a balanced surface.
So, this airplane made it through 35 of it's 44 years with this patch and multiple mechanics signed it off for annual. But now, after I bought it, it's an illegal patch in need of a real repair.
Can someone fill me in on this?
Here is a picture. Look at the bottom of the rudder. Looks like a small trim tab, but obviously its not.
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