USADrifter Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Drifters are not common in the US and I have been viewing as many online photos as possible to get ideas on how other Drifters are configured. I have noticed that many have a rounded patch/doubler installed on the underside of the end of the fuselage boom - it appears to strengthen the tailwheel and vertical stab post areas. Can you guys tell me if this was a factory/kit piece or was it the result of a service bulletin? Anyone have experience installing one - any do's or don'ts? My airplane is a '97 Austflight SB kit and does not have the mod. It is developing the beginning of a small crack where the boom wraps and rivets to the vertical tail post so I assume the addition of a doubler is a wise move. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farri Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 G`Day USADrifter, I have an original Austflight certified twin seat Drifter and it has the piece on the underside of the boom that you are refering to,in my case it is made of stainless steel and is effective in it application. To my knowledge it was an addition required for the certification of the aircraft,over here in Australia. Cheers, Frank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USADrifter Posted November 7, 2008 Author Share Posted November 7, 2008 Does anyone else have information, drawings, anything to help explain this modification??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Maj Millard Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Don't have plans or drawings per se but might be able to get some photos to you. Aussie Drifters also had large strengthening fillets where the boom enters the fwd floor pan area, which made them a lot stronger also . Does your's have those ?...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USADrifter Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share Posted March 9, 2009 No.. I'm the second owner. The kit was imported in 1997 and ass'd in the US. Although I have reviewed all of the Drifter safety bulletins, I don't think the airplane ever received any mods or doublers. Photos would be most welcome. If a measure could be snuck into the shots for scale that would be most appreciated. Thanks for the reply! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Maj Millard Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Will do what I can ...might take a week or two ok................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest High Plains Drifter Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 '97 Austflight SB kit Whats happening out at Dalby ? Any mod plans would be there i guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USADrifter Posted March 10, 2009 Author Share Posted March 10, 2009 The new Drifter folks do not answer my emails. Wayne Fisher has also not replied. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Juliette Lima Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 The new Drifter folks do not answer my emails. Wayne Fisher has also not replied. Hi USA Drifter, I will call Wayne Fisher today and see if I can communicate your request....Wayne is now a one man show spreading his time between flight training, repairs, kit assembly and survival in increasingly difficult times. Cheers JL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Juliette Lima Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Hi ken, Called Wayne and talked about your problem....he knows of the problem in SB Drifters and indicated the crack will increase fairly quickly unless the mod is fitted. He suggested you email him with a heading 'Drifter Repair' as he is receiving a lot of spam which is deleted without opening......he does not recall seeing your email. Hope this helps. JL PS. He is only too happy to help and says he has a few customers in the States.....not sure about the Dalby guys, last time I spoke with them, "things were on Hold". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USADrifter Posted August 30, 2012 Author Share Posted August 30, 2012 The condition of my tail boom has remained unchanged but I am still interested in gathering the specs regarding this mod. If anyone is in contact with Wayne, I emailed him again today and hope he is able to respond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M61A1 Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 I have these from a fly in... don't know whose aircraft, maybe of use. I would recommend (although the factory didn't do it) using a good quality epoxy primer on both the doubler and fuselage, and maybe some sealant in between for good measure. I am in the process of rebuilding a drifter, and everywhere there is stainless or steel against aluminium, there was dissimilar metal corrosion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facthunter Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 All the ones I used to fly had the mod. I understood that it was mandatory. It was also recommended to preflight check the area for cracking. Nev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USADrifter Posted October 22, 2012 Author Share Posted October 22, 2012 Thanks for posting the close up photo, that is a help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now