Rudder Trim RV-10

djc527 · #1 09-21-2007, 09:19 AM

I am hoping someone on this thread can give me some useful information reguarding my RV10

I am in phase I testing of my RV10. I need to depress the right rudder pedal about 1 inch to center the ball in cruise flight. It is the same with or without the gear leg fairings and wheel pants. This is a quick build kit. I can correct the problem with a "large" rudder trim tab (10 inch piece of 3/4 angle aluminum duct taped like a tent parallel the the trailing edge of the lower rudder). I spoke with Ken at Vans who felt like this was quite a bit of rudder trim tab. Can anyone give me ideas of what I might need to check. I am in southern California. Can anyone recommend someone knowledgable who is in my area?

When I have the autopilot engaged on a straight and level heading at cruise without rudder trim tab the ball is to the right and the airplane is slightly banked to the right (crosscontrolled). Depressing the right rudder to center the ball levels the wings.

Thanks

dan · #2 09-21-2007, 09:53 AM

Check the alignment of your wheel pants and gear leg fairings. Have somebody fly behind you to confirm the nose gear isn't cocked over to one side. I've seen that more than once...

Masterplumber · #3 09-21-2007, 03:06 PM

I have an RV 10 with the same problem. My tab is quite large because it requires a big foot to center without the tab. Probably a whole ball off.
I had a 7A that needed virtually no trim tab at all. I think it is the nature of the 10. As far as I can tell, I am pretty evenly trimmed out, though I have not had someone watch me in flight.

rv6ejguy · #4 09-21-2007, 03:22 PM

Seen this in another -10 as well. Maybe those with lots of hours in them should sound off and let us know if this is present in all examples? Do we need to change fin offset a bit maybe?

attson · #5 09-21-2007, 10:04 PM

I saw the same right rudder requirement in mine...I installed a rudder trim tab
Son
RV10 70 hrs

rv6rick · #6 09-22-2007, 11:02 AM

Just to provide another data point, my 10 flies with the ball in the middle. As you probably already know, many RV's require a trim tab on the trailing edge of the rudder, I agree that the one you describe sounds on the large side. I liked what Dan said about your nose wheel/fairing possibly being cocked but I think you stated that that the condition is the same with OR without the pants and fairings??

djc527 · #7 09-22-2007, 12:15 PM

Thanks everyone for your input. I hate to resort to a trim tab if there is something fixable.

victor · #8 09-22-2007, 01:31 PM

I had the same problem with the 9A rudder. I cured my problem by massaging the trailing edge by hand. Start at the top and with thumbs and fingers gently try bending the trailing edge to the left, all the way down. It's stiffer and tougher than it looks, and takes more pressure than one would think to actually put a slight offset in it, but it is very effective. Might need several passes down the trailing edge to get what is needed. The end result can't be seen, but worked well for me. (I removed a 6" wedge tab afterwards).

weeav8ter · #9 09-22-2007, 01:54 PM

I've flown mine now about 45 hours and I'm experiencing the same problem. I tried to attach a trim tab I bought and it helped a little, about half a ball. I plan on attacking this as soon as it gets back from the paint shop. I think Tim O told me he had the same problem and ended up making a trim tab to correct it.

I have the same results when I center the ball with right rudder, it raises the right wing back up to level.

Wayne Edgerton N602WT

In the paint shop

Mark · #10 09-23-2007, 07:41 AM

I have 140 hours on my RV-10. The plane required right rudder to center the ball. After attaching an A/S rudder trim block (used double sided auto molding tape) placed about the middle of the rudder the ball went out to the left. I'm now triming the block down in stages and the ball is slowly but surely moving to the center.

Mark
RV-10/N410MR