SB 00067 Complete, Some Notes

[rgmwa]

Maybe Scott or Greg could comment on what the benefits of balancing are? Does balancing reduce the flutter margin compared to a nose heavy stabilator with more mass. Why now with current kits and not the earlier ones. I don’t have an issue with balancing but would just like to understand the reason.

[rmac1376]

Any recommendations for an A&P in the Southern California area to accomplish the last 5 AD's RV-12is? Plane is at KSNA. Rod MacDonald rod@calventuremanagement.com

[bobg56]

I did mine today, I removed 7.8 oz for a perfect balance...I'm interested to see if there's any notice able difference in flight, especially auto pilot altitude control, I always had a bit of oscillation.

[rtlongdon]

Another data point (for whatever it's worth), I had to remove 28 grams at a point half way between the middle clamp bolt and the unused bolt hole at the end of the weights.

Measured downforce of the trim actuator arm = 88.6 grams.

Wing rack with a 2x10 clamped to the top and sticking out about 28" worked great to suspend the stabilator for balancing.

[bobg56]

Flew today and noticed that my auto pilot holds altitude much better than with an unbalanced stabilizer. I was happily surprised. Didn't notice any difference when hand flying.

[P51krause]

Any one crawled in the tail cone instead of removing the stabilator? Thinking I might try that approach. Give my kid a job to do, so I don’t have to break my back. Just curious if anyone has done this way. Thanks

[rjtjrt]

Originally Posted by P51krause

Any one crawled in the tail cone instead of removing the stabilator? Thinking I might try that approach. Give my kid a job to do, so I don’t have to break my back. Just curious if anyone has done this way. Thanks

Michael
There have been quite a few posts from people who did crawl in the tail cone (or got someone else to) in this longer thread.

https://vansairforce.net/community/s...d.php?t=213575

Hope this helps.
John

[thiggins]

Originally Posted by P51krause

Any one crawled in the tail cone instead of removing the stabilator? Thinking I might try that approach. Give my kid a job to do, so I don’t have to break my back. Just curious if anyone has done this way. Thanks

I did it. The two bolts holding the counterweight tube aren’t easy to remove, but with the correct combination of smaller tools, it is doable. (We did not remove the stabilator.) It’s not terrible, just be sure to use boards to support your weight in the empennage, and something appropriate under the tail to hold it up. I would not do this alone.

[Bob Y]

Originally Posted by P51krause

Any one crawled in the tail cone instead of removing the stabilator? Thinking I might try that approach. Give my kid a job to do, so I don’t have to break my back. Just curious if anyone has done this way. Thanks

If you mean perform all of the work inside the tail cone without removing the counterbalance arm, I’ve not seen any posts regarding performing it using this method. Drilling the counterbalance arm inside the tail cone would be problematic for me. Like Tim posted, I’ve helped another builder do his by removing just the arm.

[P51krause]

Originally Posted by thiggins

I did it. The two bolts holding the counterweight tube aren’t easy to remove, but with the correct combination of smaller tools, it is doable. (We did not remove the stabilator.) It’s not terrible, just be sure to use boards to support your weight in the empennage, and something appropriate under the tail to hold it up. I would not do this alone.

Ok great. I just plan on using the boards from last years SB 00053 crawl back and remove the counterweight and River the HS -01234’s on on the table outside and reinstall it. Thank you for the pics too.