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  #1  
Old 10-05-2006, 03:05 PM
alpinelakespilot2000 alpinelakespilot2000 is offline
 
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Default 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.
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  #2  
Old 10-05-2006, 03:11 PM
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Default 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,
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  #3  
Old 10-05-2006, 03:37 PM
jedimike007 jedimike007 is offline
 
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What about ice buildup? Just a thought

Mike
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Old 10-05-2006, 03:52 PM
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Unhappy Stay out of icing conditions.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jedimike007
What about ice buildup? Just a thought

Mike
If you build of ice enough to interfear at that point your in big trouble with this plane.

Kent
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Old 10-05-2006, 03:54 PM
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kentb kentb is offline
 
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Thumbs up 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
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  #6  
Old 10-05-2006, 10:06 PM
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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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  #7  
Old 10-05-2006, 10:55 PM
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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)
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Last edited by Paul Eastham : 10-05-2006 at 10:58 PM.
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  #8  
Old 10-05-2006, 11:18 PM
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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
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Last edited by Rosie : 10-05-2006 at 11:49 PM. Reason: Clarification
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  #9  
Old 10-05-2006, 11:24 PM
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Quote:
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
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  
Old 10-05-2006, 11:25 PM
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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...
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