2. See that extreme care is taken in removing the
Listed below are some general precautions that
you should observe when removing and installing a
wing from the container, preventing any possible
wing or wing section.
damage.
1. The aircraft should be placed in a hangar or
3. Inspect the new wing or wing section for
other area protected from the wind.
possible damage incurred during shipment or removal
from the container. The container should be used for
2. Make certain all the necessary equipment is
shipping the damaged wing to the depot maintenance
available and at hand. A list of the necessary special
facility.
tools and equipment can be found in the applicable
MIM.
4. With the wing in position for installation and
properly supported, ensure that all structural bolts are
3. Ensure that you have sufficient manpower for
installed and the nuts properly torqued.
proper handling.
4. Ensure that all screws, bolts, and other removed
CAUTION
fasteners are placed in containers and properly marked
The attaching bolts should never be forced; if
to prevent loss.
they bind, check alignment of the wing. Forcing the
5. Ensure that all removed fairings are marked and
attaching bolts will result in damage to the wing
stowed in a safe place.
structure.
6. In disconnecting tubing, electrical connectors,
control cables, and bonding wires, see that the
5. M a ke c e r t a i n t h a t a l l t u b i n g , e l e c t r i c a l
instructions given in the aircraft MIM are carried out.
connectors, control cables, and any other disconnected
7. Make certain that all disconnected tubing is
mechanisms are properly connected.
capped.
6. Check the operation of all mechanisms that
8. If hoisting equipment is to be used, be sure it is
were disconnected during removal. Make the necessary
in good condition and a qualified operator is available.
rigging adjustments in accordance with the applicable
Also, ensure the hoist fittings are properly installed.
MIM before installing access doors and fairings.
Some wings will not balance at their hoist fittings,
7. Make a final inspection of the completed job.
which makes it necessary to attach guide ropes to keep
the wing steady after it is disconnected from the aircraft.
STABILIZERS
9. Before attempting to remove any structural
The removal and installation of stabilizers are
bolts, make certain that the wing is properly supported
similar, in most cases, to that of wings and wing panels.
with all loads removed from the fittings. A mallet and
On many aircraft the horizontal stabilizer is a movable
brass drift pin may be used in removing these bolts.
airfoil, controllable from the cockpit. On some of these
10. After the wing is removed from the aircraft, all
aircraft, it is used in conjunction with the elevators to
fittings, connections, and unremoved structural
maintain longitudinal control at sonic speeds where the
members should be inspected for secondary damage
elevators have a tendency to lose their effectiveness.
before installing the new wing or wing section.
On other aircraft the movable horizontal stabilizer
(Secondary damage is damage to adjacent structures,
serves the dual purpose of elevators and stabilizers and,
which may have resulted from the transmission of the
in many instances, is referred to as a stabilator.
shock or load that caused the primary damage.)
Some aircraft have an empennage or tail group that
11. Before installing the new wing, you should take
consists of all-movable horizontal stabilizers and a
advantage of improved accessibility to inspect and
single all-movable vertical stabilizer. These aircraft do
repair corrosion damage, and renew preservative
not have elevators or a rudder.
coatings in previously inaccessible areas.
The removal and installation of stabilizers, like
The petty officer in charge should ensure that the
that of the wing, are major jobs and must be
following general precautions are taken in installing a
accomplished with care and close supervision.
wing or wing section.
S t e p - b y - s t e p i n s t r u c t i o n s o f t h e r e m ova l a n d
1. Check the identification tag of the new assembly
installation of stabilizers are also included in the
to make sure it is the correct replacement unit.
"Airframes" section of the applicable MIM. Many of
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