VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #1  
Old 07-31-2009, 08:51 AM
Maxrate Maxrate is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: League city, TX
Posts: 544
Default Counterbalance question

I may be getting ahead of myself here but other planes I've worked on the counterballance weight usually needed some tweaking after painting the control surface. Im about to build the rudder and it looks like the counterballance lead weight is totally enclosed. How are you guys making the final ballance adjustment after the paint goes on.
__________________
Mark Malone, RV7
Wings complete, SB 14 complied with, canopy and cowling in progress, Up on the gear.
N442MM reserved
http://www.mykitlog.com/MikeMike

2020 Donation gladly paid..
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-31-2009, 10:04 AM
alpinelakespilot2000 alpinelakespilot2000 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,646
Default

Elevator counterweights may need to be adjusted because gravity pulls on them differently before and after paint, and also because it's good to have both sides balanced equally before connecting them together. There's no gravity working on the rudder and nothing the rudder needs to be balanced against and thus no need to modify the counterweight.
__________________
Steve M.
Ellensburg WA
RV-9 Flying, 0-320, Catto

Donation reminder: Jan. 2021
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-31-2009, 11:46 AM
Maxrate Maxrate is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: League city, TX
Posts: 544
Default

Easy enough. Thanks for the post Steve.
__________________
Mark Malone, RV7
Wings complete, SB 14 complied with, canopy and cowling in progress, Up on the gear.
N442MM reserved
http://www.mykitlog.com/MikeMike

2020 Donation gladly paid..
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-31-2009, 06:07 PM
sgordon's Avatar
sgordon sgordon is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: North Andover, MA
Posts: 73
Default

Maybe a stupid/newbie question. What if one is flying 90 deg bank? At that angle the rudder would be parallel with the earth (acting like an elevator) and gravity would come into play. Maybe the unmodified counterweight is close enough to balanced for such a maneuver.
__________________
Steve Gordon
RV-7 Empennage Kit
http://rv7.media-phile.com
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-31-2009, 07:12 PM
dhammer's Avatar
dhammer dhammer is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Keller, TX
Posts: 151
Default I don't think -

- the balance has anything to do with gravity or or the orentation of the control surface. It's there to prevent flutter. There is a plus and minus for the balance and I doubt if paint would take it out of that range.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-31-2009, 07:53 PM
sgordon's Avatar
sgordon sgordon is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: North Andover, MA
Posts: 73
Default

You see, that's what I love about VAF. I am constantly reminded of how much I have to learn. I have been under the assumption that counterweights are intended to keep the control surfaces in a stable straight-and-level. Without counterweights, I assumed that the elevators would have a natural tendency to pitch the airplane downward. I didn't even consider it was there to prevent flutter. You prompted me to research the subject, and I have learned a lot tonight. Thank you.
__________________
Steve Gordon
RV-7 Empennage Kit
http://rv7.media-phile.com
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:14 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.