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  #1  
Old 01-05-2014, 01:32 PM
scrollF4's Avatar
scrollF4 scrollF4 is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Flower Mound, TX
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Default Control Sticks

Note: OK, get your "stick" jokes out of your system, but at some point in the project, we builders just have to jump in the saddle, grab the stick, position it where it belongs, and decide whether this will feel good...or start to hurt over time. There. Now that we got the 900 lb. gorilla out of the way...

I finished my control sticks. The straight stock control sticks brought the stick and stick grip far too closely to me. Placing the elevator to neutral forced my arm to wedge between my side and the cockpit wall....numb!

Thus, I used 3/4" white PVC and my heat gun to shape a double-bended template:



This design moved the control grip away from me at a comfortable distance. In doing so, I was careful to build space between the top of the stick and the throttle/mixture bracket and the control panel.

It would have been great to use the stock Van's straight stick pipes and just bend them into shape. However, they're so thin-walled that bending them would surely kink them. Randy Richmond (52F Van's mechanic extraordinaire) pointed me toward the solution.

Once I was happy with the PVC template design, I gave the PVC template to Randy Richmond, who turned it over to Tom Meyer of Meyer Aircraft, Double Oak, TX. Tom crafted two identical pipes of the proper Outside diameter but with thicker walls. He also left me a good 4-5 inches of excess end.


With careful trimming and attention to the clock positions for the Infinity military-style grips, I came up with these:


I'm using 16-pin CPC barrel plugs from Gulf Coast to connect the stick wiring to the aircraft end. With my seat cushions and seat back pads in place (thanks Abby!), and with the stick held in position (elevators neutral), my left arm rests quite comfortably on my left leg. Throwing the stick full forward/right gives me several inches clearance between my trimming thumb and the throttle/mixture bracket.

Ahhh. I love a custom-fitted airplane.
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Sid "Scroll" Mayeux, Col, USAF (ret)
52F NW Regional/Aero Valley Airport, Roanoke TX (home of DR's Van Cave)
"KELLI GIRL" N260KM RV-7A tipper
Catch her on YouTube's "Because I Fly!" channel

Exemption waived.
Proud and grateful 2020 -=VAF=- Contributor

Last edited by scrollF4 : 01-05-2014 at 07:08 PM. Reason: Trying to keep it civil...and RV-related
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  #2  
Old 01-05-2014, 02:08 PM
rockwoodrv9 rockwoodrv9 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Meridian ID, Aspen CO, Okemos MI
Posts: 2,645
Default

Sid, I have wondered why the sticks are not offered just like you had built. It looks like a great idea to me. It puts it in a more comfortable position and fits your wrist better in my opinion. Thanks for the photos and info. I think I will do the same thing.
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  #3  
Old 01-05-2014, 02:36 PM
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Vlad Vlad is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Utah
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Default

Sid it's very convenient for a condition inspection to have both sticks removable.
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  #4  
Old 01-05-2014, 03:24 PM
hudgin hudgin is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Cedar Hill, Tx.
Posts: 159
Default

It is also nice to be able to remove the CP stick for a long cross country with the wife. Now if I could just figure out a way to remove the rudders. How about a side stick design?
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  #5  
Old 01-05-2014, 03:25 PM
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scrollF4 scrollF4 is offline
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Default Removable sticks

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vlad View Post
Sid it's very convenient for a condition inspection to have both sticks removable.
Vlad,
Yep, that's my plan. The catch is that I'll have to unbolt the bottom piece from the aileron push tube and cross tube, then disconnect the wiring cannon plug.
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Scroll

Sid "Scroll" Mayeux, Col, USAF (ret)
52F NW Regional/Aero Valley Airport, Roanoke TX (home of DR's Van Cave)
"KELLI GIRL" N260KM RV-7A tipper
Catch her on YouTube's "Because I Fly!" channel

Exemption waived.
Proud and grateful 2020 -=VAF=- Contributor
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  #6  
Old 01-05-2014, 03:28 PM
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Vlad Vlad is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Utah
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by scrollF4 View Post
Vlad,
Yep, that's my plan. The catch is that I'll have to unbolt the bottom piece from the aileron push tube and cross tube, then disconnect the wiring cannon plug.

You don't have to. Leave a slack/service loop of that cable and tuck removed sticks to the floor when inspecting.
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Where is N666BK?

Не имей сто рублей, а имей сто друзей.
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  #7  
Old 01-05-2014, 03:40 PM
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scrollF4 scrollF4 is offline
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Default Perfect

Thanks, Vlad.
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Scroll

Sid "Scroll" Mayeux, Col, USAF (ret)
52F NW Regional/Aero Valley Airport, Roanoke TX (home of DR's Van Cave)
"KELLI GIRL" N260KM RV-7A tipper
Catch her on YouTube's "Because I Fly!" channel

Exemption waived.
Proud and grateful 2020 -=VAF=- Contributor
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  #8  
Old 01-05-2014, 06:04 PM
Maxrate Maxrate is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: League city, TX
Posts: 544
Default

Scroll,

Where did you have your anodizing done? I love the blue touch!
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Wings complete, SB 14 complied with, canopy and cowling in progress, Up on the gear.
N442MM reserved
http://www.mykitlog.com/MikeMike

2020 Donation gladly paid..
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  #9  
Old 01-05-2014, 06:51 PM
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scrollF4 scrollF4 is offline
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Default Rust-oleum metallic blue

Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxrate View Post
Scroll,

Where did you have your anodizing done? I love the blue touch!
MaxRate,
Actually, it's Rust-oleum Metallic Blue rattle-can from the Home Depot Aviation Supply Department.

http://t.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-...1830/100212629

Two coats, followed by one coat of Rust-oleum 2x Satin top coat.
http://t.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-...076/202058666/

I picked this color to match my aircraft commander's commander's dress.
http://mykitlog.com/users/display_lo...g=152744&row=7
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Scroll

Sid "Scroll" Mayeux, Col, USAF (ret)
52F NW Regional/Aero Valley Airport, Roanoke TX (home of DR's Van Cave)
"KELLI GIRL" N260KM RV-7A tipper
Catch her on YouTube's "Because I Fly!" channel

Exemption waived.
Proud and grateful 2020 -=VAF=- Contributor
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  #10  
Old 01-06-2014, 10:02 AM
Maxrate Maxrate is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: League city, TX
Posts: 544
Default

Lol!

Yep. I've got a similar commander at my place. Thanks for the info.
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Mark Malone, RV7
Wings complete, SB 14 complied with, canopy and cowling in progress, Up on the gear.
N442MM reserved
http://www.mykitlog.com/MikeMike

2020 Donation gladly paid..
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