Mon, Sep 21, 2009
Tool Enables Accurate Repairs Without Aircraft Downtime
P&D Enterprises has developed a new Rib Alignment Tool
(R.A.T. Tool), which has been specifically designed to enable
aircraft mechanics to perform fast and accurate repairs to damaged
flap, aileron and elevator "ribs".
"Whether it's a result of 'hangar rash', mishandling or just
wear and tear, the majority of general aviation aircraft have some
type of misalignment damage to their control surfaces," explained
P&D CEO and inventor of the R.A.T. Tool, Dan Harris. "While
this type of damage is prevalent in all aircraft, it's especially
problematic in high-wing Cessnas. From what I've seen, I'd say
about 80-percent of these aircraft have some level of control
surface damage."
"While it's hard to see, this type of damage results in changes to
the airflow and will have a noticeable impact on the aircraft's
performance including its airspeed and control responsiveness," he
added. "The R.A.T. Tool is a fast and inexpensive way for pilots to
get back the performance they've lost."
A long time pilot, Harris designed the R.A.T. Tool as a
cost-effective and easy to use tool that would enable technicians
to quickly and accurately realign these control surfaces.
"The old way was to use a large, square screwdriver to force the
ribs into alignment," Harris said. "This delicate work and if done
incorrectly will result in additional damage that will mean having
to remove the control surfaces for more extensive and costly
repairs."
The R.A.T. Tool uses two outside manipulating rods and two inside
stationary rods. Once correctly inserted into the trailing edge of
the control surface ribs it's a simple three-step process to
straighten and align the ribs. The R.A.T. Tool provides excellent
consistency without placing added stress on the upper and lower
skins of the control surface.
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