Ball Bearing Aileron Bellcrank Brackets

[Sky Designs]

One of the things we love about our RV’s is their exquisite control feel. Because most maneuvering happens in roll, anything that can be done to reduce friction and free-play in the aileron control system is particularly desirable.

New Product Announcement: Sky Designs has developed a set of aileron bellcrank brackets that allow for the bellcranks on RV-7, -8, -10, & -14 to rotate on ball bearings rather than bronze bushings...just like the RV-4 & 6 have always been.

The anodized brackets feature sealed ball-bearing units that are maintenance free, have essentially zero free-play, and reduce friction in the aileron control system. Large diameter flanges on the aluminum bellcrank bushings serve to keep the bellcranks fully captured between the brackets in the event of a failed bearing.

Installation even on an already finished and flying aircraft is straightforward and can be accomplished in an afternoon.

The $189 kit comes with everything you see in the photo plus a set of installation instructions. We have them in-stock and ready to ship - just in time for Valentine's Day! Go to: https://www.skydesigns.aero/products

[skylor]

Originally Posted by Sky Designs

One of the things we love about our RV’s is their exquisite control feel. Because most maneuvering happens in roll, anything that can be done to reduce friction and free-play in the aileron control system is particularly desirable.

New Product Announcement: Sky Designs has developed a set of aileron bellcrank brackets that allow for the bellcranks on RV-7, -8, -10, & -14 to rotate on ball bearings rather than bronze bushings...just like the RV-4 & 6 have always been.

The anodized brackets feature sealed ball-bearing units that are maintenance free, have essentially zero free-play, and reduce friction in the aileron control system. Large diameter flanges on the aluminum bellcrank bushings serve to keep the bellcranks fully captured between the brackets in the event of a failed bearing.

Installation even on an already finished and flying aircraft is straightforward and can be accomplished in an afternoon.

The $189 kit comes with everything you see in the photo plus a set of installation instructions. We have them in-stock and ready to ship - just in time for Valentine's Day! Go to: https://www.skydesigns.aero/products

Oh, now that’s cool!

Skylor

[Phil Sprang]

Ken,
You had me at “new product announcement”!
Check your inbox.

[TASEsq]

They seem a little thicker than the Van’s ones (on the -14 anyway). Does the extra thickness still allow for the Garmin servo bracket to work?

[terrye]

Originally Posted by Sky Designs

New Product Announcement: Sky Designs has developed a set of aileron bellcrank brackets that allow for the bellcranks on RV-7, -8, -10, & -14 to rotate on ball bearings rather than bronze bushings...just like the RV-4 & 6 have always been.

...and what about the -9/9A? Doesn't this model use the same brackets as the RV-7?

[douglassmt]

That's very cool. I'll give it a look. However, I've determined that most of the play in my RV-10 control system is in the part that the stick mounts to, due to the imprecise bearing built in. Essentially it's kind of a rolled piece of metal as I recall, maybe with a alum tube inserted in it. Either way, all the play I've got is limited to that part. One owner I know replaced the alum tube in it with a plastic tube that was a hair long so when it was compressed it filled up the space available and took out a lot of the play. It seems like a simple matter to build a new part that would have a better bearing. If you built it I would buy 2!

My $0.02

Originally Posted by Sky Designs

One of the things we love about our RV’s is their exquisite control feel. Because most maneuvering happens in roll, anything that can be done to reduce friction and free-play in the aileron control system is particularly desirable.

New Product Announcement: Sky Designs has developed a set of aileron bellcrank brackets that allow for the bellcranks on RV-7, -8, -10, & -14 to rotate on ball bearings rather than bronze bushings...just like the RV-4 & 6 have always been.

The anodized brackets feature sealed ball-bearing units that are maintenance free, have essentially zero free-play, and reduce friction in the aileron control system. Large diameter flanges on the aluminum bellcrank bushings serve to keep the bellcranks fully captured between the brackets in the event of a failed bearing.

Installation even on an already finished and flying aircraft is straightforward and can be accomplished in an afternoon.

The $189 kit comes with everything you see in the photo plus a set of installation instructions. We have them in-stock and ready to ship - just in time for Valentine's Day! Go to: https://www.skydesigns.aero/products

[scsmith]

Brilliant.

[Stewbronco]

I just dealt with Ken @ Skydesigns and can attest to him being a first rate guy to deal with ! Highly recommended

[A2022]

what happens if you over torque the bolt? is the bolt covered with a sleeve to act as a stop?

edit: forget this question. the sleeve is built into the assembly so not a problem.

[Sky Designs]

Originally Posted by TASEsq

They seem a little thicker than the Van’s ones (on the -14 anyway). Does the extra thickness still allow for the Garmin servo bracket to work?

Yes, they are thicker than the standard bellcrank brackets.

Others have also asked about compatibility with the Garmin servo bracket...attached is an illustration (pulled from the installation instructions for this kit) showing how the AP servo mounts to the "long" bracket. Because the extra thickness is away from the servo mounting surface, the only thing that needs to be accounted for is the grip length of the AN3 servo attach bolts. The little radius washers you see called-out in the illustration are provided in the kit.