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10-05-2006, 03:05 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,646
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Elevator counterbalance clearance with HS
I'm fitting my elevators to the HS and am wondering if anyone else raises an eyebrow at the minimal 3/32" clearance between the counterbalance arms and the HS. The gap is consistent all the way up on both sides, so I'm assuming this is designed that way (and that I've built them straight). What makes this even more strange, if I remember correctly, even the trim tab specifies more clearance from the elevator.
Is anyone else concerned about the potential for something jambing up the elevators. Obviously it must not be that big of a deal, it just seems like the gap would be greater.
__________________
Steve M.
Ellensburg WA
RV-9 Flying, 0-320, Catto
Donation reminder: Jan. 2021
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10-05-2006, 03:11 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,840
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Good
Hi Steve,
I spoke with a guy in California who purposely closed all gaps, aileron to flap/wingtip and elevator counterbalance to Hs to 1/16" for drag reduction. Since you're using no-slop ball ends for hinges, I don't see how they could interfere at 3/32". YMMV,
Regards,
__________________
Pierre Smith
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
EAA Flight Advisor/CFI/Tech Counselor
Louisville, Ga
It's never skill or craftsmanship that completes airplanes, it's the will to do so,
Patrick Kenny, EAA 275132
Dues gladly paid!
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10-05-2006, 03:37 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 29
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What about ice buildup? Just a thought
Mike
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10-05-2006, 03:52 PM
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Canby, Oregon
Posts: 1,786
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Stay out of icing conditions.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by jedimike007
What about ice buildup? Just a thought
Mike
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If you build of ice enough to interfear at that point your in big trouble with this plane.
Kent
__________________
Kent Byerley
RV9A N94KJ - IO320, CS, tipup
AFS 3500, TT AP, FLYING....
Canby, Or
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10-05-2006, 03:54 PM
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Canby, Oregon
Posts: 1,786
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Here is a test that my inspector did to my plane.
Standing next to the HS he pushed inboard on the elevator counter balance with about 50 lb of force and then moved it up and down. One rubbed just a little bit and I had to file down more clearance.
Kent
__________________
Kent Byerley
RV9A N94KJ - IO320, CS, tipup
AFS 3500, TT AP, FLYING....
Canby, Or
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10-05-2006, 10:06 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Cedar Park, TX
Posts: 3,156
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And I epoxy potted (with flox) the bolts and nuts that hold the lead weight on the counterbalance. Those things aren't going to come loose without heavy machinery.
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Scott Card
CQ Headset by Card Machine Works
CMW E-Lift
RV-9A N4822C flying 2200+hrs. / Cedar Park, TX
RV8 Building - fuselage / showplanes canopy (Done!)
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10-05-2006, 10:55 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 506
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Several people out here have been hammering down the weights prior to trimming so that they are flush with the rest of the rib. Gets the job done, but the holes will migrate outward slightly due to the flow of metal.
Curious: are there known cases of these things coming loose? I have heard about people epoxying these guys in over the bolts, but am wondering if it's just a superstition. You are going to be one unhappy camper if you need to remove them for some reason (though I can't think of a reason why)
Last edited by Paul Eastham : 10-05-2006 at 10:58 PM.
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10-05-2006, 11:18 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: I live in on the Rosamond Skypark (CA) and am married to Victoria (Tuppergal).
Posts: 982
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A quick check for clearance is to pull a quarter out of your pocket; It should drop down between (fall through) the elevator and HS for minimum clearance (bigger is OK)  Rosie
__________________
Paul A. "Rosie" Rosales
Rosamond Skypark (L00), CA
RV-6A, 4200+ hours since 7/4/2000
Last edited by Rosie : 10-05-2006 at 11:49 PM.
Reason: Clarification
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10-05-2006, 11:24 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 506
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Rosie
A quick check for clearance is to pull a quarter out of your pocket; It should drop down between (fall through) the elevator and HS for sufficient clearance  Rosie
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I doubt Van's would agree, they claim they want 1/8". That looked a bit large to me, but a quarter sounds pretty small...what is that, like <1/16"? The curvature (or not) of your end caps will come into play as well.
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10-05-2006, 11:25 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: ...
Posts: 2,049
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Think ice accumulation. I'm not sure how the ice forms back there, but I figure more gap is better -- within reason of course.
Sometimes we get caught up in "gap minimization" for the aesthetics of it, but in some cases more is better (i.e. flaps to ailerons to wingtip clearance, spinner to prop clearance, etc.). If you're racing at Reno, disregard...
__________________
Dan Checkoway RV-7
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