Welcome to the source for "Chuck's Fuzzy Balls©"
First question you might ask..."What are 'Chuck's FUZZY BALLS©' and why would I want them?"
Owners and operators of 300 and 400 series, Cessna aircraft have known for years, just how easily someone can injure themselves on the leading and trailing edges of the "Stabila-tips" canted, main fuel, tip tanks. Just recently, while Chuck was having his 421B serviced during an annual inspection, a highly experienced mechanic with over four decades of experience on Cessna twins, was distracted in the hangar. He turned, abruptly, and caught the left, trailing edge of the tip tank, just below his eye, opening about a one inch gash. Fortunately, the damage was only a bad laceration that was stitched closed, but had he been about a half inch shorter, he might have been less fortunate!
This prompted Chuck to obtain some plastic flagging tape and, using masking tape, stick about 3-4 foot pieces of flagging tape on all the "impact points" of the tip tanks and elevator static wicks. The length of the tape and the slight movement caused by air movement made for a highly visible marking system. Impressed by the increased visibility but not satisfied with the temporary tapes, Chuck decided to improve his system.
What was needed was a system that would be quick and easy to apply, work anywhere in a hangar or on the ramp, and be light weight and easy to stow in a wing locker with the other "remove before flight" covers and streamers. That's when Chuck came up with his "FUZZY BALLS."
Regular "Plain" styleChuck's FUZZY BALLS© are made from fluorescent yellow tennis balls, heavy duty, 1 inch, red, nylon webbing, and aircraft grade, bungee cord.
Nylon webbing was selected because it is supple, moves well in a breeze, but doesn't "flip around" like lighter, cloth streamers, commonly used on aircraft. This prevents the streamer portion from repeated slapping against the aircraft, leading to damaged or discolored paint and streamer failure from the cloth "fatiguing."
The NEW reflective Chuck's FUZZY BALLS© feaature a 3M, Scothlite® brand, reflective, fabric tape, 1 foot long, sewn to each side of each webbing streamer. Scotchlite® tape returns almost 70 percent of reflected light back to the source, making the steamers "stand out" in the headlights of a tug or other vehicles on the ramp at night. When hanging down, the streamers on the leading and trailing edges make it easy to see exactly where the wing tip is when maneuvering the aircraft in a crowded hangar, reducing the probability of "hangar rash." The Scotchlite® tape is fabric backed and moves with the soft, nylon streamer, so that it will not damage paint as might be expected from a hard, plastic style reflector.
The fluorescent yellow balls are cut "just enough" so that they stay on the tank tips but also provide a cushion effect, should you bump into them. Each pair of "Chuck's FUZZY BALLS"© is secured with a length of bungee cord between them to prevent them from inadvertently falling off the tank tips in high winds or "jet blast."
CHUCK'S FUZZY BALLS©
How to order....
If you are really desperate for a set of Chuck's Fuzzy Balls, and want to buy either the regular, red streamer or the NEW, REFLECTIVE streamer version, you can call or write Chuck at:
Chuck's Fuzzy Balls The Southeast and Northern Co., Inc. 14420 SW 79th Ave. Village of Palmetto Bay, FL 33158-2006 305-255-6121 FAX 305-253-8467
Email Address:
The price per set of four (one pair per wing tip tank) is:
Shipping and handling is for US shipping only. International shipping rates on request.
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This page created 19 September 2001
Last updated 01 APRIL 2007
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