Trim Tab Sheetmetal Thickness?

dmat · #1 10-07-2020, 10:30 AM

When I got my plane back from paint, looks as if the painter didn't put the trim tab back on. So.... I need to make one.

I didn't make my plane so I am not certain as the thickness of material I should use. I have some 0.32 material laying around. Is this acceptable or needs to be thicker?

Thanks,
D

AcroSmoke · #2 10-07-2020, 10:31 AM

That will work

Dean Pichon · #3 10-07-2020, 06:21 PM

Older kits (RV-4, -6) used 0.016 material (cut from the elevator skin). My new -4 tail kit use 0.020 for these skins, so the trim tab is also thicker.

DanH · #4 10-07-2020, 07:54 PM

Listen to Dean. The trim tab is a bad place to add mass.

PaulvS · #5 10-07-2020, 08:01 PM

Is this the elevator trim tab? Or is there maybe a trim tab on the rudder that is a bent piece of metal?

Taltruda · #6 10-07-2020, 08:04 PM

Vans sells the trim tab skin for like $19 bucks! Throw in the hinge, spar, and control horn.. all pre bent. I think the cost of these parts is cheap compared to the time to fabricate them from stock. I’m sure it’s doable, just not sure it’s worth the time.

Dean Pichon · #7 10-08-2020, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulvS

Is this the elevator trim tab? Or is there maybe a trim tab on the rudder that is a bent piece of metal?

That is an excellent point. My comment assumed the OP was asking about the elevator trim tab. (I'm building new elevators with 0.020 skins so everything looks like an elevator to me.) If the question was in reference to the rudder trim tab (which makes more sense given that the painter did not put it back on

), the 0.032 thickness is good.

David Paule · #8 10-08-2020, 08:58 AM

If it should be the elevator tab, you can buy a kit for just that from Van's.

Dave

Ironflight · #9 10-08-2020, 10:00 AM

Guys - read the original post - I seriously doubt that a paint shop would “forget” to put the [elevator] trim tab back on - I’d think it would be rather obvious it was missing.

I assumed he was talking about a rudder tab, and if that is the case, he might think of a wedge instead of a tab.

dmat · #10 10-08-2020, 10:17 AM

the AILERON trim tab was missing. It was kinda funny because when I noticed it, I looked for the tab and 2 of the 4 holes were pop riveted but no tab. Definitely left me scratching/shaking my head. Definitely left me disappointed with the work.