Wing heavy - Why not adjust a flap?

[Webb]

I was talking to an old A&P about wing heavy the other day and his response was something I haven't seen or at least read enough posts.

His comment was to adjust a flap and that is what he recommends and does. Somethings as little as one turn of the pushrod. It will keep your stick centered with no trim tab. Last but not least, doesn't mess with your paint job like squeezing the trailing edge. It would also be an extremely easy adjustment in an RV.

What about it guys?

[Mel]

Adjusting a flap to be down in the wind stream increases drag, and since it in inboard, it is not as effective as an aileron.

[airguy]

If the flaps are not rigged properly, and that is the cause of a heavy wing, then yes I would agree. If the flaps are rigged properly, then the cause is other than the flap, and Mel is correct - you'll add drag to cover up a symptom, rather than solving the problem.

[Low Pass]

I did it 9.5 yrs and 1065 hrs ago. Adjusted one of the flaps down maybe ~0.4-0.5 degrees. Slows the plane a little (has to be a fraction of a kt), but it sure was easy to do and is reversible.

[rv6ejguy]

I did the same thing on mine. Easy, works fine.

[Mark Burns]

Originally Posted by Webb

I was talking to an old A&P about wing heavy the other day and his response was something I haven't seen or at least read enough posts.

His comment was to adjust a flap and that is what he recommends and does. Somethings as little as one turn of the pushrod. It will keep your stick centered with no trim tab. Last but not least, doesn't mess with your paint job like squeezing the trailing edge. It would also be an extremely easy adjustment in an RV.

What about it guys?

Webb,
I agree with Mel and Greg about adjusting the flaps.

Check your ailerons at the outboard hinge. Is the heavy wing aileron a little high there? Mine was. The steel hinge bracket that bolts to the aileron can be slotted with a file in a few minutes to lower the aileron. I lowered mine about 1/8" and it flies hands off now. This must be a common problem as I read about it here I think.

Mark

[Radomir]

How do you guys check height here? What's the reference? Can someone post a step-by-step procedure that leaves no assumptions... aka.. the way you'd explain it to a 3-year-old... thanks!

[Geico266]

Originally Posted by rv6ejguy

I did the same thing on mine. Easy, works fine.

Ditto. Works fine, I have not seen a speed drop. 1/2 turn on the flap adjuster can't be much drag.

[Low Pass]

Originally Posted by Mark Burns

Webb,
I agree with Mel and Greg about adjusting the flaps.

Check your ailerons at the outboard hinge. Is the heavy wing aileron a little high there? Mine was. The steel hinge bracket that bolts to the aileron can be slotted with a file in a few minutes to lower the aileron. I lowered mine about 1/8" and it flies hands off now. This must be a common problem as I read about it here I think.

Mark

In the words of George Strait, "don't think that I'm trying to mind your business, it's a full time job just trying to mind mine", but slotting the wing attach holes is a significant modification to that component.

2 cents tempered with 20+ yrs of mechanical engr experience

[jsharkey]

I have a slight twist in one aileron - one trailing edge tip is about 3/16" higher than the other.

How will that affect the mix? Should I re-skin or will it be lost in the other noise?

Jim Sharkey
RV6