|
-
POSTING RULES

-
Donate yearly (please).
-
Advertise in here!
-
Today's Posts
|
Insert Pics
|

09-22-2013, 04:08 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Lake Country, B.C. Canada
Posts: 2,416
|
|
can we publish a good inspection procedure?
As a non-builder, I want to do the right thing here.....
I went flying today, but my pre-flight included close scrutiny of the rod end/jam nut , spar rivets etc.
having just completed my annual, the first thing I noted was that applying even a tiny shot of LPS-4 lube here has now caused a lot of dust and grime to coat the components. I had to wipe each one to get a good look with a bright light.
'putting a wrench' on the jam nut ?
do I need to hold the rod end with another wrench, so that I am not torquing on the hinge? or is this inconsequential. ( not sure how I'd fit 2 wrenches in there either).
Will paint potentially hide the crack?
__________________
Perry Y.
RV-9a - SOLD!....
Lake Country, BC
|

09-22-2013, 04:26 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 1,125
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by flyboy1963
As a non-builder, I want to do the right thing here.....
I went flying today, but my pre-flight included close scrutiny of the rod end/jam nut , spar rivets etc.
having just completed my annual, the first thing I noted was that applying even a tiny shot of LPS-4 lube here has now caused a lot of dust and grime to coat the components. I had to wipe each one to get a good look with a bright light.
'putting a wrench' on the jam nut ?
do I need to hold the rod end with another wrench, so that I am not torquing on the hinge? or is this inconsequential. ( not sure how I'd fit 2 wrenches in there either).
Will paint potentially hide the crack?
|
I always visually check the hinge areas preflight but now I'll look a bit closer.
I put a wrench on all the rod ends in the tail today and they were fine. "Put a wrench on it" to me means just moderate pressure on the wrench with my finger tips. If the jam nuts are loose you'll feel it. If they are fine, there is no need for a backup wrench. There is no need to crank on these nuts during a check.
I have torque stripe on all my critical fasteners. That way you'll see at a glance if something has moved.
Of course, ymmv.
__________________
Kelly Johnson
San Jose, CA
RV-9A
Pink slip issued: 5/7/12
First flight: 5/28/12, Memorial Day.
Phase I Complete: 8/18/12!
2020 donation: complete
|

09-22-2013, 06:04 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,275
|
|
I checked mine.
|

09-22-2013, 06:21 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ruston, Louisiana
Posts: 879
|
|
Answer a few questions
To answer a few questions:
No, I've never done any tail slides 
I never ran the engine with the wings off.
Jam nuts were not loose.
The engine is a 0-360-A1D
Propeller is the 85 pitch Sensenich.
This combination is pretty smooth. Prop was balanced before first flight.
The paint did not hide the crack.
It may have actually helped see the crack.
One thing that I think may have caused it is wind on the ground.
I was parked at Oshkosh in 2012 just about 75 yards west of the Biplane that flipped over. I just tie my elevators back with my seatbelt. I'm sure there was quite a force on my elevators during this storm.
I plan to replace the elevator spar. If it weren't for those two -4 rivets on the counterbalance rib it would be a piece of cake. Bucking these two rivets means removing the tip that is all glassed up pretty
I'm going to research using a couple of Cherry Max rivets instead.
Mark
__________________
Mark Burns
Ruston, Louisiana
RV-7A N781CM 1,650+ hrs
FFI FL-24
A&P
|

09-22-2013, 06:32 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,275
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Burns
One thing that I think may have caused it is wind on the ground.
I was parked at Oshkosh in 2012 just about 75 yards west of the Biplane that flipped over. I just tie my elevators back with my seatbelt. I'm sure there was quite a force on my elevators during this storm.
|
Maybe this is appropriate for a separate thread but I have to wonder if my current control surface methods are adequate. I use a PVC device that is placed between the rudder pedals and a point by the spar in my 6A.
The seat belt is used to "secure" the ailerons and elevators.
I have avoided external systems in the past but I wonder if the devices that people place between the outside of the aileron and the wingtip might be better for the ailerons.
|

09-22-2013, 07:30 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,686
|
|
Good point Ron. Tightening those jam numbers and keeping the rod end aligned is a bear. I'll be checking my closely on my next preflight and I have an annual coming up so I'll be getting out the mirrors and magnifying glasses.
|

09-22-2013, 08:02 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 12,887
|
|
We here traveling this weekend and one of the things I plan on doing tomorrow evening is to remove the empennage faring and inspect (Put a wrench) on all the bolts back there and look closely (using a magnifying glass) at the VS attach brace.
While I'm at it, I will also look at the HS spar, as described in this thread.
RV-9(A) pilots / owners, don't think that because our planes are not aerobatic that this couldn't happen to us. Please take a few minutes to inspect your planes and report back any findings.
__________________
Bill R.
RV-9 (Yes, it's a dragon tail)
O-360 w/ dual P-mags
Build the plane you want, not the plane others want you to build!
SC86 - Easley, SC
www.repucci.com/bill/baf.html
|

09-22-2013, 08:21 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Burns
One thing that I think may have caused it is wind on the ground.
I was parked at Oshkosh in 2012 just about 75 yards west of the Biplane that flipped over. I just tie my elevators back with my seatbelt. I'm sure there was quite a force on my elevators during this storm.
I plan to replace the elevator spar. If it weren't for those two -4 rivets on the counterbalance rib it would be a piece of cake. Bucking these two rivets means removing the tip that is all glassed up pretty
I'm going to research using a couple of Cherry Max rivets instead.
Mark
|
Mark,
A crack like yours doesn't typically occur from a single load event. It is classic of what would be caused by some type of load reversal / flexing across that point.
One thing I would be looking for if I were inspecting the airplane, would be hinge axis alignment. I.E., if when the elevator is removed, is it easy to remove the bolt that attaches the rod end to the Horizontal stab. If not, it is an indication that the hinge points may be misaligned.
If they are, the web of the spar would be forced to flex every time the elevator moved on its hinge axis (and we know that it is probably the most active control surface on an airplane). If misalignment is found, it could be caused by mis-adjusted rod ends, misaligned horizontal stab brackets, etc. (or a combination). A check can be done with a piece of fine thread pulled tight through all three hing points for each side on the stab and elevator. It will show whether thy are all aligned.
As far as replacing the spar goes, if the proper Cherry Max rivet was used, it would be a totally acceptable way of doing the repair.
__________________
Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.
Scott McDaniels
Van's Aircraft Engineering Prototype Shop Manager
Hubbard, Oregon
RV-6A (aka "Junkyard Special ")
|

09-22-2013, 08:25 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Valley Forge, Pa
Posts: 636
|
|
Elevator/Rudder Balance
If your going to check the tail group thoroughly than a elevator/rudder balance check would be prudent.Did you or the builder check it when it was built? Was it checked after paint?
R.Hill
|

09-22-2013, 08:49 PM
|
 |
VAF Moderator / Line Boy
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 12,256
|
|
Shake the Elevators - TOGETHER!
I flew both the RV-3 and V-8 today - but not before getting out a flashlight and inspection mirror and doing a thorough examination of hinge points and fasteners. The -3 passed with flying colors. The -8....well, that was a surprise. Like most pilots, during preflight, I grab the elevator and give it a wag and a shake, then move on to the other one. Today, since I was doing a very THOROUGH job, I notice a little bit of a (tiny) clunk when I moved the left side. I moved to the right, and got the same feel. I then grabbed both of them - and they moved about 1 degree relative to each other !!
Obviously, the inspection covers came off, and I found that the bolt holding the two arms to the push rod was a little loose, allowing relative motion. Obviously, I replace things and tightened back to spec. Yes, this is one of those "Jesus Bolts" sprinkled throughout the airframe. The airplane is 3 months from the next condition inspection - but I took the time to inspect ALL of the visible control and hinge bolts today.
Remember, Condition Inspections are like medicals - they only prove that things were OK on the day they were signed off. I am shocked to find this on an airplane we fly numerous times a week. From now on, I'll be grabbing BOTH elevators at the same time during preflight - hope this gets a few other folks to inspect as well.
No cracks by the way...
Paul
__________________
Paul F. Dye
Editor at Large - KITPLANES Magazine
RV-8 - N188PD - "Valkyrie"
RV-6 (By Marriage) - N164MS - "Mikey"
RV-3B - N13PL - "Tsamsiyu"
A&P, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor
Dayton Valley Airpark (A34)
http://Ironflight.com
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:59 AM.
|