Cessna Tail Slide 172 Series

In the event of a tail strike often the aft bulkhead is damaged to the point it has to be replaced. The tail cone and elevators can come out worse for wear. Replacing the bulkhead involves removing the rudder, elevators, and Vertical and Horizontal stabilizers. It’s a fair amount of labor and the bulkheads are expensive. Some of the older models the bulkheads are no longer available.

Our Patented Cessna Tail slide is designed to slide across the surface and gently lift the tail at the same time. It attaches to the original point and the bulkhead forward providing extra strength and the lifting action as opposed to the factory ring digging in and pulling. It also cradles the rear bulkhead and adds considerable strength preventing crushing.

• Approved under STC, manufactured under PMA.
• Canadian validated.
• AML includes every 172, 172RG, 175, T-41 and Hawk XP from first one built to the new ones.
• Tailslide made out of Aluminum, it weighs 1.9 pounds.
• Abrasion guard (optional on all Cessna models) made out of abrasion resistant steel, weighs .5 pounds, ideal for flight training.
• Comes epoxy primed, must be painted to match.
• FAA required placard stencil provided.

Kit includes:

• 1 Cessna Tail Slide
• Mounting hardware
• 1 set of paint stencils
• Approval paperwork including the STC, AML & ICA’s
• Optional abrasion guard (purchase separately)

Installation details:

• There is not a row of rivets down the center of the aircraft belly to remove on a 172.
• A tail cone fairing the rudder cable goes through on the side of the fuselage is drilled off for access in between the bulkheads. Nut plates are installed on the tail cone and the fairing is reattached with screws when complete.
• 16 rivets are removed from the 2 aft bulkheads, the factory tie down ring is removed.
• Match and drill the holes from the aircraft to the tailslide, a hole finder is required to the aft holes.
• Paint the tail slide to match the aircraft.
• Using provided stencils paint the placarded instructions onto the tail slide.
• Bolt the tail slide to the aircraft.
• Installation time averages about 6 hours.