Degaussing a steel tube airframe

Roy Nerou · Post by **Roy Nerou** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:39 pm

We have recently bought a Piper Cub and the problem we've got is that the compass which is mounted in the middle and on top of the instrument panel in the standard Cub position has a large deviation that is outside the normal compass compensation range. I need to degauss the airframe tubes at least locally around this area to enable reasonable deviation. I've checked its not the compass as have fitted a new one and that swings around exactly the same amount as the original. Because the aircraft has been fitted with a newly overhauled engine it was suggested that maybe the crank had been magnetised during crack detection and not been demagnetised but I have checked the engine and that’s not the source of the problem. Has anyone had experience of degaussing a steel tube airframe?

David Kean · Post by **David Kean** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:52 pm

Have you got an electronic tacho ? these are huge magnets.
I had some success on a pitts with a tape eraser.

http://www.degausser.co.uk/degauss/250.htm

David

Nick Allen · Post by **Nick Allen** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:22 am

There was a discussion on the old BB about this: http://www.pfa.org.uk/cgi-bin/ultimateb ... 029#000000

Roy Nerou · Post by **Roy Nerou** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:57 pm

Nick, David
Many thanks for the info, I have just looked at the old BB regarding this topic and is at least nice to know its not just us that have had this problem.

Les James · Post by **Les James** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:39 pm

Chilton,

I have degaussing equipment that I have used with reasonable success on steel tube fuselages. You are welcome to use it.