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  #1  
Old 01-18-2011, 04:31 PM
mattsmith mattsmith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: reno,nv
Posts: 172
Default Flap Switch protection

Hello all,
I have my Infinity grip all most installed and am worrying about the flaps. I have sat in the plane a few times and made airplane sounds and have a concern about the flap switch on the grip being accidentally bump at above flap deployment speed. I have the Show Planes three position flap system so just a bump will yield 10 Degrees, talked with Safety trim and was told there system would not work with the Show Planes system, so wondering how others got past this. I don?t like the idea of putting a switch on the panel to enable the stick switch (one more thing to forget to do in the pattern) but was thinking about a shield that goes over the toggle on the stick so it can?t be bumped, has anyone ever seen something like this or have a another safety for the flaps?
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  #2  
Old 01-18-2011, 05:03 PM
flyinga flyinga is offline
 
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Location: Fredericksburg, TX
Posts: 662
Default

I would not put the flap switch on the stick grip. Nothing good will happen if you accidentally bump the switch.
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  #3  
Old 01-18-2011, 05:31 PM
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Jeff A Jeff A is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Dallas, TX
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Default

Matt,

I have not personally installed one, but I know there are a number of airspeed switches available. If it is a major concern, a switch that removes power to the circuit can be easily installed, and (I think) they can be programmed for almost any airspeed you like. Check out Aircraft Spruce, I know they carry several types.
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  #4  
Old 01-18-2011, 06:17 PM
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Ironflight Ironflight is offline
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Location: Dayton, NV
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by flyinga View Post
I would not put the flap switch on the stick grip. Nothing good will happen if you accidentally bump the switch.
That's a valid opinion, but there are countless RV's flying with the flap switch on the stick without problems. I agree that having it on a preselect system is a little different - for most, if they bump the switch, they get a degree or two before noticing and stopping - no harm done. With the pre-select, the stick switch option might be less desirable.

There are several threads on the topic of flap switches on sticks, and folks on both sides of the issue, but I know of NO instances in which having the switch on the stick has been determined as the cause of a mishap or aircraft damage.

Paul
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  #5  
Old 01-18-2011, 06:47 PM
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MCA MCA is offline
 
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Default

The VP-X http://www.verticalpower.com/VPX.html built-in flap controller disables the flap DOWN switch above a specified airspeed. You will have to remove your exisitng flaps system but could easily sell it.
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  #6  
Old 01-18-2011, 07:11 PM
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vlittle vlittle is offline
 
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Location: Victoria, Canada
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Such are the perils of automatic systems. The law of unintended consequences always prevails. A simple flap switch without presets would probably be the most error-tolerant and reliable system.

The VP system sounds like a good fail-safe but consider what happens during a forced landing when extending flaps above Vfe may be the safest course of action. It's better to bend the flaps rather than destroy the airplane or worse.

I think a flap Vfe warning system would be better, and I think VP can provide a warning rather than a override.

I've said it before... better to give a warning to the pilot and let him/her make the decision rather than automatically take action. Think Boeing vs. Airbus.

V
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  #7  
Old 01-18-2011, 07:23 PM
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Mel Mel is offline
 
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Location: Dallas area
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vlittle View Post
The VP system sounds like a good fail-safe but consider what happens during a forced landing when extending flaps above Vfe may be the safest course of action. It's better to bend the flaps rather than destroy the airplane or worse.
I'm not sure I agree with this statement 100%. Keep in mind that if flaps are deployed at a high speed, you may not only damage the flaps but also the rear spar. Those flaps place quite a load on the rear spar. Loosing a wing can ruin your day.
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  #8  
Old 01-18-2011, 08:27 PM
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MSFT-1 MSFT-1 is offline
 
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Posts: 276
Default I have had the flaps on my stick...

on both my RV-8 (nearly 500 flight hours) and now my RV-10 (just over 500 flight hours).

I honestly don't see what the issue is. I (and the many non-pilots in the right seat) have never bumped the flaps down (or up for that matter).

The flap limiting speed is for full flaps (not half flaps). It would take a mighty inattentive pilot to not notice the pitch trim change of even the beginning of flap deployment.

I personally like the flaps on the stick. It makes perfect sense (to me anyway) that both the trim china hat and the flaps are right next to one another.

In my opinion, no safety cover or flap cutout switch on the panel is needed.

Just my 0.02.
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  #9  
Old 01-18-2011, 08:58 PM
Alan Erickson Alan Erickson is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Socorro, NM
Posts: 90
Default mounted mine on throttle

I recently mounted my flap switch on the throttle - won't be playing with that control very much in cruise flight, and it's out of the water-bottle-and-snack zone.
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  #10  
Old 01-18-2011, 09:15 PM
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Noah Noah is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 937
Default Switch Guards-The Simple Solution

Quote:
Originally Posted by mattsmith View Post
Hello all,
I have my Infinity grip all most installed and am worrying about the flaps. I have sat in the plane a few times and made airplane sounds and have a concern about the flap switch on the grip being accidentally bump at above flap deployment speed. I have the Show Planes three position flap system so just a bump will yield 10 Degrees, talked with Safety trim and was told there system would not work with the Show Planes system, so wondering how others got past this. I don?t like the idea of putting a switch on the panel to enable the stick switch (one more thing to forget to do in the pattern) but was thinking about a shield that goes over the toggle on the stick so it can?t be bumped, has anyone ever seen something like this or have a another safety for the flaps?
Hi Matt, I have an identical system with infinity grip, flap switch, and show planes flap positioning system. I went through many ruminations trying to figure out how to get rid of this boogeyman. Ultimately, I fabricated custom aluminum switch-guard bushings which press-fit into the ID of the switch recess on the infinity grips. I think that you will find that a switch guard of the proper length prevents inadvertent flap action while allowing intentional action. I have rested my hand on top of the stick and the flaps will not deploy - you need to use your fingertip to get the flaps to come down. I can post some photos if you like, but it is pretty simple - just a small bushing whose OD is just a little bigger than the recess ID, wall thickness about .030". No additional electronics or complexity, and no damaging your wing (or otherwise ruining your day) from inadvertent flap deployment at Vne!
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