Pilot's Operating Handbook for the Piper PA-22 Colt

repair facilities for this type of construction are available universally. The fuselage is made corrosion resistant by the applica- tion of a coat of zinc chromate, followed by a sealer coat of nitrate dope. A third coat of dope-proof lacquer is sprayed on comes in contact with the fuselage members wherever fabric the structure. If the airplane is to be used in salt water areas, the fuselage can be metallized prior to applying the zinc chrom- ate and dope; at the same time the interior of the tubing is coated with linseed oil to prevent internal corrosion. The wing framework consists of riveted aluminum ribs mounted on extruded aluminum spars with tubular drag and compression struts and high strength stainless steel drag wires. Aluminum sheet is used to form the leading edge and the aileron false spar. An ash wing tip bow provides a light tough member which can withstand considerable wing tip shock without failing. The wings are attached to the fuselage at the wing hinge fittings on upper fuselage members, and by means of the lift struts which bolt to the lower fuselage members and to the wing spar fittings. The lift struts can be adjusted in length by turn- ing in or out the forked fittings at the lower ends. This adjust- ment is used to set the rigging of the wings. Any lifting of the airplane at the struts should be done at the extreme end of the strut and not in the center, to prevent bending the struts. 8 THE PIPER COLT SECTION II LANDING GEAR AND BRAKE The tri-cycle landing gear on the Colt is designed and constructed to provide the air- plane with a rugged under- carriage. The shock absorb- ing mechanism for the main gear consists of a hydraulic shock absorber combined with shock cords, while the nose gear uses an oleo strut bolted to the engine mount at the firewall. Wheels for the main gear are Cleveland 600 x 6 Model C-38500-H, each are fitted with 600 x 6, 4 ply tires. The nose gear is steerable through a 40 degree arc by the rudder pedals which actuate steering rods attached to steering arms at the top of the nose gear strut. The nose wheel is the same as the mains with the exception of the brake drum which is not included, the wheel Model number is C-38501-H. Brakes for the Colt are provided by a Cleveland Model # 30-18 hydraulic actuating brake assembly. The brake units are actuated by a hydraulic master cylinder located under the left seat, which is operated by the hand brake lever located under the center of the instru- ment panel. The brake lever is connected to the master cyl- inder by a cable and pulley arrangement. A parking brake valve is attached to the forward side of the firewall with the control located on the left side of the instrument sub-panel. In applying the parking brake, first pull the brake handle back, next pull out the park- 9 SECTION II THE PIPER COLT ing brake control, then re- lease the brake handle. To disengage the parking brake, simply push in its control. CONTROL SYSTEM The Colt is controlled in flight by the use of the standard primary control surfaces consisting of the ailerons, elevator and the rudder. Operation of these controls is through the movement of the control column and rudder pedals. The individual surfaces are connected to their control components by the use of cables and push-pull tubes. Provision for longitudinal trim control is provided by an adjustable trim mechanism for the stabilizer which is located on the overhead panel between the seats. Two complete sets of flight controls are provided as standard equipment on the Colt. As the brake lever is accessible from either seat, com- plete control of the airplane is possible from both the left and right side. The control column can be secured with the safety belt to prevent damage to the control surfaces due to strong N winds and etc. while the air- craft is tied down. The rud- der will not require securing except when extremely high winds are expected. Caution must be exer- cised in using the stabilizers for lifting or lowering the tail of the airplane, also during ground handling steering should not be done with the rudder, which may become distorted if mishandled. A 10 11 THE PIPER COLT 15º± 2° Co 15° 2° AILERON CONTROL SYSTEM COLT PA-22-108 SECTION II