How to Balance Ailerons

[bjdecker]

Originally Posted by Scotty G

Maybe I’m speaking Portuguese…

Nope; my coffee hadn't kicked in yet

Disconnect each aileron from the pushrod (at the aileron) and observe the action of the aileron; the aileron will want to drop the leading edge, in a hurry...

If this isn't the case, remove the paint and try again... I wouldn't recommend adding weight to the leading edge pipe.

On the matter of the deadband in the controls, clamp the trailing edge corner of the aileron to the wing tip and then attempt to move the stick left/right (DO NOT USE MUCH FORCE) and see how much slop there is. If ANY, I would start looking at rod ends (Heim bearings), Bell crank pivot bushing/bolt, etc. for any movement.

[Ralph Inkster]

Also, check the radius of the aileron trailing edges per plans. This may create the "dead zone" feel at neutral.

[FinnFlyer]

Thought occurred to me: Did that additional paint change the shape of the trailing edge.

I guess to me the real solution would be to have the paint stripped and repaint, but I can understand reluctance to do so.

I see that Ralph beat me to it.

Finn

[wcalvert]

Originally Posted by Scotty G

The shop put on an insane amount of material on the ailerons, and it’s changed their balance.

Just my 2 cents, but I'll agree with Carl regarding trying to fix this issue with additional weight or ? ...

When anyone uses the phrase "insane" to describe a modification or behavior, it makes me a bit wary. I read this to mean you think it's excessive. That means it's not right. Proceed back to ground zero and make it right ... it's a flying object with your fanny strapped to it!

Just sayin'

[PCHunt]

I would check the aileron rigging before weighing and/or adding weights.
Proper rigging can solve many issues. Maybe rig both ailerons very slightly low on each side. Much easier than adding weight.

[PaulvS]

I'm not trying to be a smart arse here, but if the problem is too much paint applied, would you consider getting them stripped and repainted? They're small enough that it could probably be done in a day ot two if removed from the aircraft. I'd do that before adding more weight.

[Walt]

I suggest you find someone very familiar with The RV and carefully inspect the installation/rigging. I think it unlikely the paint alone created your issue.

[Marc Bourget]

Mass Balancing Ailerons is more a factor of dynamic acceleration, or gust loading in flight. As it was explained to me, an updraft will cause an unbalanced aileron, with a CG behind the hinge line to "sag" increasing wing camber and augmenting the input by increasing lift.

That said, there is an ongoing arguments between the 100% balance camps and the less than 100% group.

NACA Technical Note 609 provides guidance.

[Bavafa]

I am surprise or rather shocked by the number of folks who say not to do anything about it.

Balancing ailerons are important and if there is significant misbalance, then it is required. Years ago on my first build VANS recommended balancing them and even now they say if paint has caused much imbalance. It is also important to balance each separately.

Balancing them is not difficult, especially if one has pre planned for it. Unhook your aileron from push rod and place a small container/cup near where the existing weight is and add weight until your aileron look to be balanced. Then weigh the cup to see how much weight you need. Mine required about 5.5 and 6 oz each plane. Then you can just add that amount of weight next to the original lead weight.
On my planes, I pre-planned for this and added a couple of nut plates for this purpose but you can use a rivenut if you don't have a way of bolting it on.

[Kyle Boatright]

Originally Posted by Bavafa

I am surprise or rather shocked by the number of folks who say not to do anything about it.

Balancing ailerons are important and if there is significant ...

Sounds like you're talking about elevators, not ailerons? There is no place to add external weight on ailerons.

But, to the OP. I would check the trailing edge radius and straightness (a strait edge running chordwise should lay straight until it goes off the aft edge of the aileron. It shouldn't encounter a "speedbump" of metal at the TE). If that is OK, then I'd look at removing the paint and repainting with a non-insane amount of paint.