Simple, cheap and effective control locks.

[pierre smith]

Since the thread on rudder locks had a lot of action, I decided to show my aileron and elevator locks....cheap, simple, quick-to-make and effective.

A piece of .025 aluminum and a couple of hardware store bolts and a piece of rubber tubing: The aileron lock:


Because of the taper and the smooth paint, I needed to prevent the lock from sliding off the aileron/wingtip junction, so I added a piece of .025 with a hook on the forward end that goes around the aileron attach bracket:


The elevator lock is similar:



Just a piece of .025 and rubber tubing that is a larger diameter than the bolt heads so they don't scratch the paint:



They can all be made in under a half an hour,

Best,

[CharlieWaffles]

Those look great. Only downside I can think of is forgetting them before moving. Perhaps an attachment point for a Remove Before Flight flag would help visibility?

[pierre smith]

I always use an old, easily memorized checklist....CIGARTIP

Controls...free and correct.
Instruments..alt set ,trim etc
Gas..correct tank..fuel pump...quantity
Altimeter set
Runup...mags..oil pressure, etc

Trim...set for takeoff..(very important in the -10)
Interior...doors , belts fastened
Prop...pitch set forward for takeoff.

I suppose they could still be accidentally left on so add a red streamer if you need to,

Best,

[Mike S]

While I agree with the idea of using a red streamer/ribbon, when you do a walk around as part of the pre-flight, you should always move each control surface.

You do do a pre-flight walk around dont you??????

[CharlieWaffles]

Yep. It was just a critical component that a nice visual reminder would be helpful. Just suggesting it as if it DID get overlooked, it's not as easy to remove as a lock inside the cabin. I love the low provile and simplicity, if it was me, I would likely add a flag. That is most likely because I will hanger most of the time and wont use them in a hanger, but when traveling I would. So it wouldn't be something that was ALWAYS removed. Each to their own I suppose and easy enough to add to this great idea. Thanks Pierre.

[bpattonsoa]

The best rudder control lock costs less than two bucks and you can store in almost no space. It works in everything but the -10 can be put on in 15 seconds, and you can't miss it when getting in the aircraft.

For the aileron and elevators, the pilots seat belt around the stick and pulled back all the way. If you can take off with these still on, perhaps you need to change your pre-flight.

For the rudder, a bungee cord, about 2' long for the 2 place ships. Hook it onto the rudder cable on one side, streach across the seat(s) to the other cable. The right length pulls the cables together and fixes the rudder. Once again, if you miss it getting into the aircraft, you should not be flying!

Bruce Patton
RV-6A 596S

[douglassmt]

Pierre -

Do you have one for each side, for the ailerons and elevators, or is one each for the ailerons and elevators sufficient?

[LifeofReiley]

nice Pierre, simple and they both will do the job well!

[bizjet]

Did you once fly a Learjet? Back in the day, we locked our ailerons and elevators with - - you guessed it. The seat belt.

Bill

[Mike S]

Here are a few shots of a simple and elegant lock that I saw at the Homecoming a couple years ago.

The owner was kind enough to let me take the unit off, so I could get better photos--------Unfortunately, I do not remember his name, to give proper credit where it is due.