by "Jay Honeck" Jun 6, 2006 at 01:12 PM


That stabilizer is designed to stand much more twisting force than any
real life girl could ever apply to it. Otherwise it would come off
during
the first reasonable bumpy flight. (Nevertheless you shouldn't do what
she
had done, of course.)

There are two stabilator attach points that would have been under
tremendous
twisting load with her pushing waaaay out at the end of the "arm" of the
stabilator. I can't think of any in-flight condition that would put such
an
asymmetric load on the bird.

Also, you must figure that the plane is 30+ years old. God knows how
many

other times those attach points have been subjected to overload.

I cringe every time I think of it.


Sounds like the FAA is correct in studying older planes, a study which the
AOPA is (naturally) "opposing."