RV-10 Elevator with Full Flaps

[RobinHou]

Posting this question for a friend:

On the plane's first test flight with a pilot and a flight engineer, during landing with full flaps, the stick was pulled back against stop to fly the final approach. There was no more stick travel for landing flare but it did grease the touch down.

Is this common on RV-10?

If not, where do you recommend looking for possible causes?

Thanks in advance,

David

[rocketman1988]

Approach speed?

CG?

Elevator UP limit?

[Mousse]

Did you check your C of G prior to flight? The -10 is nose heavy and in mine, I must cary 50 lbs (Water bag) in the bagage compartment when only the front seats are occupied to remain within the envelope. Hope this help

Michel

[lr172]

definitely check the W&B envelope in the flying configuration. I need 10#'s of ballast solo to stay in envelope, but use 50#'s. I have never been close to full elev travel on final approach. I can easily trim to hands off while on a 70 kt final, though I tend not to trim that much to avoid issues on a go around.

I don't see how you could have full up ele on final in a proerly rigged RV-10. As you slow down, you need more to flare. Definately need to look at rigging.

Larry

[WrightsRV7]

I agree with folks above, only 300 h in my 10, but never been close to full up elevator on final (with two in the front, nothing in the back). Might check the attack angle of the stabilizer, make sure you got the spacers set right. Also, in full cruise speed you should have essentially no trim tab deflection to speak of...check that too down the road. Might give you more info to use. Personally, I land at half flaps most of the time, I find the flare just a bit easier, airspeed at touch down almost the same, and nose wheel is well in the air. But never a bad thing to use full flaps! Congrats on the build and the first flight!!

Mike Wright
2020 dues paid
RV7 built/flown/sold
RV10 built and flying
RV7 started in 2020

[Carl Froehlich]

To answer the question, no - this is way wrong. The RV-10 has massive nose up trim range, even when solo with nothing in the back. There is always enough trim to take the pressure off the stick.

Perhaps if you post the W&B we can better address your issue. Also state if you mounted the battery(s) aft per the plans.

I assume you verified that the trim tab travels are in spec.

Carl

[Phil]

Check the rigging of your elevator trim tabs too.

[jwilbur]

Originally Posted by Carl Froehlich

I assume you verified that the trim tab travels are in spec.
Carl

If elevators were at the stops, trim tabs won't make a difference. ... But with the same idea, if one of the front seats is all the way forward, is the stick hitting the seat? Or in the tunnel where the linkage is connected to the cross-bar is there interference? There is a rod-end bearing in there that extends way out and is safety wired. If this is not far enough out, it will feel like you are hitting the stops, but will actually be jamming up in here.

[Snowflake]

Was the stick hitting the stop, the seat, or the pilot's belly?

[Kyle Boatright]

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Was the stick hitting the stop, the seat, or the pilot's belly?

The other thing is, relative to the other RV's the pitch forces on the -10 are pretty heavy in the flare when flown solo or with two up front.

You may think you've exercised all of the pitch throw, but...