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  #1  
Old 04-27-2011, 01:09 PM
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Jumbo Jumbo is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Muenster, Germany, Europe.
Posts: 142
Default RV-4 - uneven wing tip height

Hi all,

Today I measured the wing tip height (at the same spot each wing tip, plane sitting on a level ground, both wing tanks full, ?old? short landing gear legs) and discovered that the right wing tip is about 2 inch lower than the other (left wing) side.

So we took off the cowling and a.) measured the height of the lower bolts facing forward on each side of the lower firewall where the gear legs enter the ?gear leg holder? (sorry, I am no native speaker) and the heigt is exactly the same and b.) searched for cracks or bends with no findings.

Than we took off the right hand side wheel pant and did not find anything unusual either (no cracks, no bends on the axle etc.).

So my question is: is this normal and I just get on with it or do we search for anything else - if so what.

Thanks, Heinz
P.S. I am not the builder and have bought the RV-4 flying and yes, my first landing were a bit bumpy but I did not have a ?hard landing? really.
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Homebased Muenster-Telgte, Germany, Europe
a.) Eggenfellner H-6 powered 4-seat Robin, PH-ERD 325+hrs since SEP 2008 .... counting
b.) bought flying & sold: Vans RV-4 with O-320, PH-EIL .... very sad ending - lost a friend
c.) bought flying at 51 TT: Vans RV-3A, PH-URZ .... now at 150 hrs (and having fun )
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  #2  
Old 04-27-2011, 02:13 PM
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islandmonkey islandmonkey is offline
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
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Default

Heinz,

It does not take much of a bend in the landing gear for the wing tip heights to vary by a significant amount.

Check the camber angle of each main wheel to see if they are identical. Also double check tyre pressures to make sure they are equal as well.
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RV-4 s/n 4572 Emp Kit.
RV-3B s/n 11460 Emp Kit. (In storage).
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  #3  
Old 04-27-2011, 02:22 PM
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Hens07 Hens07 is offline
 
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Location: Lancaster, PA
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Default

how about unequal wear and pressure in the tires?
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Lancaster, PA l RV-7 #3898 l Empennage l N627AB

"I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things" ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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  #4  
Old 04-27-2011, 02:31 PM
Steve Sampson Steve Sampson is offline
 
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Location: N. Yorkshire, England
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Default

Remember these are not pre-punched. The slightest misalignment of the wing bulkhead with respect to the engine frame would do this. I dont think you need a hard landing, just a minute build error perhaps.
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  #5  
Old 04-27-2011, 02:46 PM
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flyboy1963 flyboy1963 is offline
 
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Location: Lake Country, B.C. Canada
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Default what level ground?

good points all from previous posters....
and......I'd be tempted to run some plumb lines, use a laser level, water level line etc. to establish that the wing is REALLY not symmetric with it's mate and the fuselage, before wrenching on the gear or........?
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  #6  
Old 04-27-2011, 02:50 PM
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jthocker jthocker is offline
 
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Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
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It's normal! Go fly and forget about it! Nothing you can do about it and is no big deal!
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  #7  
Old 04-27-2011, 03:22 PM
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Jerry Cochran Jerry Cochran is offline
 
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Location: Sherwood, Oregon
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Like someone said. Run a water level between tips, shim main wheels until wings level, then check longeron level side to side. That's really all that matters in the air. Even that doesn't matter much, how' s she fly?
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Sherwood, Oregon

RV-7a 707DD Bot from David Domeier 12/01/11
Lycoming IO-360 Catto 3 blade Panel upgrade in progress

RV6a 18XP 1st flite 03/21/07 sold to Dale Walter 10/22/2011
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  #8  
Old 04-27-2011, 06:05 PM
markscogg markscogg is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 306
Talking Gear legs

Most likely the gear legs are slightly bent from a less than perfect landing. Check the legs. If they are bent (and that bothers you) send BOTH to LangAir. They will press them straight.
Better yet, just fly it.
Who knows, you may make a bad landing on the other leg.
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Charlotte, NC
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  #9  
Old 04-28-2011, 05:07 AM
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Jumbo Jumbo is offline
 
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Location: Muenster, Germany, Europe.
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Default thanks for that input

... as it flies perfect (no aileron trim needed) I tend to go with Mark, Jon and others: I just fly it.

Thanks again, Heinz
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Homebased Muenster-Telgte, Germany, Europe
a.) Eggenfellner H-6 powered 4-seat Robin, PH-ERD 325+hrs since SEP 2008 .... counting
b.) bought flying & sold: Vans RV-4 with O-320, PH-EIL .... very sad ending - lost a friend
c.) bought flying at 51 TT: Vans RV-3A, PH-URZ .... now at 150 hrs (and having fun )
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  #10  
Old 04-28-2011, 08:19 AM
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pierre smith pierre smith is offline
 
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Location: Louisville, Ga
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Default Me too....

...just enjoy her,

Best,
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RV-10, 510 TT
RV6A (Sojourner) 180 HP, Catto 3 Bl (502Hrs), gone...and already missed
Air Tractor AT 502B PT 6-15 Sold
Air Tractor 402 PT-6-20 Sold
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It's never skill or craftsmanship that completes airplanes, it's the will to do so,
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