Rudder bonding jumper question for the T-6 experts

[bdk]

The bonding jumper goes from the left hand side of the bottom rudder hinge bracket to where exactly on the rudder? Does anyone have a photo? I would prefer not to have to remove the rudder to find it!

Thanks in advance!

[Matt Gunsch]

it goes on the lower bearing bolt if there is not a place for it to attach with a screw onto the rudder itself, either place will work.

[A2C]

Just leave it out and hope for the best

(Just kidding)

[bdk]

it goes on the lower bearing bolt if there is not a place for it to attach with a screw onto the rudder itself, either place will work.

We were looking for a place on the rudder itself, but since it is covered and installed it is hard to see anything there. The manuals we have don't seem to be much help.

[Matt Gunsch]

as long as it goes from the metal framework of the rudder, to the fuselage, the rudder bolt will work. If you have any doubt, do a check with your OHM meter

[Hal B]

The manuals we have don't seem to be much help.

You can say that again! Kind of like working on a car using a Haynes or Motors Manual; just enough info. to get you into trouble

[bdk]

as long as it goes from the metal framework of the rudder, to the fuselage, the rudder bolt will work. If you have any doubt, do a check with your OHM meter

Understood. Just looking for the "factory" way of doing it. Most I look at don't even have a jumper, just the screw and a broken ring on the hinge bracket.

[A2C]

BDK:

Put it where you think it should go based on your knowledge of AC-4313 and electrical wiring.

[bdk]

Put it where you think it should go based on your knowledge of AC-4313 and electrical wiring.

Yes, I could do that but that wasn't my question.

Maybe I need to buy the Smithsonian drawings to get an answer.

[skymstr02]

On my "g" there was a nutplate between the lower and center hinge on the rudder spar where the strap attached.

[plankwings]

Metal to metal is correct but not thru a bolt in the hinge bearing. Lightning strikes/Electrical discharge will cause arcing inside the bearing on the balls and grove. Makes things get a little rough instead of nice and smooth.

[bdk]

On my "g" there was a nutplate between the lower and center hinge on the rudder spar where the strap attached.

Could you give a little more detail? I'm not following you in this. Are you talking about the vertical stabilizer spar or the rudder spar? Thanks!

[skymstr02]

It was on the front face of the rudder spar. I placed a screw in the nutplate when I recovered the rudder to keep crap out of the threads, and replaced it with the bonding screw/strap when I installed the rudder.

Without static wicks, I'm not sure if there is any advantage of having bonding straps anyway. If you happen to take a lightning strike, and the charge disapates thru the rudder, its going to blow the strap apart, and discharge thru the hinge bearings anyway. I've personally seen this happen twice, once on a Cessna 310, and an Embraer 145. There is just too much energy to go thru one tiny braided strap, its only good for static charges.

I had a seperate ground wire for the tail nav light that terminated in the aft fuselage.

[A2C]

Well, you may not need a bonding strap for lightning, but for static electricity you want continuity through the aircraft so it will go to ground.

I don't know if N.A. built T-6's had the bonding straps in the rudder. The Canadian built Harvards had extra bonding straps. including through the rudder, etc.

[bdk]

It was on the front face of the rudder spar. I placed a screw in the nutplate when I recovered the rudder to keep crap out of the threads, and replaced it with the bonding screw/strap when I installed the rudder.

Excellent! Thank you. We'll probe around a bit next weekend and report.