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  #1  
Old 08-09-2011, 08:06 PM
Dave12 Dave12 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Elkton, Md.
Posts: 1,652
Default Heavy RV-12 Right Wing

I was just wondering how many have experienced heavy right wings? I have put the "squeeze" on the left aileron trailing edge but the problem persists. Has anyone had luck with increasing the radius on the heavy side aileron with any luck? I read what the manual says, but found it a bit vague. I really don't want to squeeze the left aileron any tighter. Thanks in advance.
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Wag Aero Sport Trainer built,sold and wrecked
N588DF RV12 #336 built, sold and alive and well in New York
N73DF RV12 #244 built, sold and alive and well in Florida
N91 RV RV9 I wish I could say I built this one! Mark Santoleri hit the ball out of the park on this gem.
Currently restoring a 1978 Citabria GCBC
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  #2  
Old 08-09-2011, 08:27 PM
JBPILOT JBPILOT is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Jesup, Iowa
Posts: 1,657
Default Hey Dave - -

Mine turned left sharply, and was 1/2 ball out, or more. I pinched the right side and did too many of the 'panels'. I needed to be more patient. I then had it turning slight right. I pinched the left 1 or 2 outside panels, and now have it so with just me, it slightly turns left. With 2 people, it turns slightly right. Figure that is as good as I will get. The ball moved back to the center. Have not touched it since. Takes a noticeable amount of pinching to make a difference.

John Bender
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  #3  
Old 08-10-2011, 07:42 AM
vette_guy vette_guy is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: TX
Posts: 10
Default Rv-12 "heavy wing"

My builder had constructed the flaperons to be even L & R. When I flew it for the 1st time I definitely noticed the pull to the right when placing the flap lever in the 1st position and the pull continued at the full flap position. Well, going back to the construction plans it calls for the right flaperon to droop about a 1/4" when the left flaperon is evenly aligned with the left wing. Adjusting the push rods to achieve this noticeably reduced the effect of the heavy right wing.
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  #4  
Old 08-10-2011, 10:54 AM
Dave12 Dave12 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Elkton, Md.
Posts: 1,652
Default

Thanks Vetteguy, I was very careful to rig it according to the manual. I am interested in finding if anyone has "tapped" the trailing edges to increase their radius and which side gets tapped. I found the instructions in the flight manual confusing
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Wag Aero Sport Trainer built,sold and wrecked
N588DF RV12 #336 built, sold and alive and well in New York
N73DF RV12 #244 built, sold and alive and well in Florida
N91 RV RV9 I wish I could say I built this one! Mark Santoleri hit the ball out of the park on this gem.
Currently restoring a 1978 Citabria GCBC
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  #5  
Old 08-10-2011, 12:12 PM
jte65 jte65 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Avon, Indiana
Posts: 341
Default Heavy right wing

Dave:

I had the same problem. Regarding rigging and the comment by vette-guy, in reality, both flaperons droop when the stick is in the neutral position. They just have you neutralize the left and set the right to 1/4 inch because it is much easier to do that than try and measure 1/8 inch droop on both sides.

You either squeeze the light wing and/or blunt the heavy one. I had a heavy right wing and the problem persisted, even after extensive squeezing of the left flaperon. In fact, we got to a point where we did not want to squeeze the trailing edge any more. We blunted the right flaperon a bit but were still unable to completely resolve the heaviness. At this point, I contacted Van's and they just suggested adding a trim wedge to one flaperon (which I did on the bottom of the left one). I hated to have to do this but the squeezing, if done too much, can become quite noticeable. The trim wedge largely resolved the problem although with full flap extension and slow speeds, I do get a bit of left wing heaviness now. However, it is basically good at cruise.

Given that everything is pre-punched and built without jigs, I still remain a bit puzzled as to why some seem to have little trouble with this and others like myself have bigger problems. Seems like having a ball out to the right and needing a rudder trim tab is pretty common and probably expected to some extent given the p factor. However, the wing heaviness seems to vary considerably between builders.

Jeff
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  #6  
Old 08-10-2011, 12:48 PM
gasman gasman is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sonoma County
Posts: 3,821
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jte65 View Post
Given that everything is pre-punched and built without jigs, I still remain a bit puzzled as to why some seem to have little trouble with this and others like myself have bigger problems.
I think that anything built in a jig will be more consistently accurate. The pre-punch is a compromise. And a good one for most of the builders.

If you are still not amazed at this kit, then just ask Mel what it took to build his kit.................
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  #7  
Old 08-10-2011, 12:53 PM
diamond diamond is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Rochester, MN
Posts: 710
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jte65 View Post
Dave:

Given that everything is pre-punched and built without jigs, I still remain a bit puzzled as to why some seem to have little trouble with this and others like myself have bigger problems. Seems like having a ball out to the right and needing a rudder trim tab is pretty common and probably expected to some extent given the p factor. However, the wing heaviness seems to vary considerably between builders.

Jeff
I too am puzzled by this and would love to hear more opinions on this.
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  #8  
Old 08-10-2011, 03:01 PM
Dave12 Dave12 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Elkton, Md.
Posts: 1,652
Default

Thanks Jeff, could you tell me the location on the aileron you installed the wedge, how big the wedge is and where you purchased it? My rudder is a 1/2 to 3/4 ball right but gets much closer at cruise of course. The rudder does not bother me near as much as the aileron. The rudder is actually acceptable as is. Also, could you share with me your static prop rpm? Thanks again.
__________________
Wag Aero Sport Trainer built,sold and wrecked
N588DF RV12 #336 built, sold and alive and well in New York
N73DF RV12 #244 built, sold and alive and well in Florida
N91 RV RV9 I wish I could say I built this one! Mark Santoleri hit the ball out of the park on this gem.
Currently restoring a 1978 Citabria GCBC
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  #9  
Old 08-10-2011, 03:38 PM
iain donnelly iain donnelly is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: aboyne,Scotland UK
Posts: 13
Default right wing heavy

Dave, I had heavy right wing and played about squeezing the light wing and after several flights decided to squeeze the wing tip trailing edge slightly with good results I also found that at full load heavy crew in right seat full fuel and 50lb sand for baggage did not increase the heavy wing problem.
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  #10  
Old 08-10-2011, 04:02 PM
Dave12 Dave12 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Elkton, Md.
Posts: 1,652
Default

Thanks Iain, I will give that a try. I had not given the wing tip any thought.
__________________
Wag Aero Sport Trainer built,sold and wrecked
N588DF RV12 #336 built, sold and alive and well in New York
N73DF RV12 #244 built, sold and alive and well in Florida
N91 RV RV9 I wish I could say I built this one! Mark Santoleri hit the ball out of the park on this gem.
Currently restoring a 1978 Citabria GCBC
Reply With Quote
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