Here's the cabin rudder lock we came up with for our RV9A.
Many times when landing for a short stay at another airport, you cannot park into the wind, especially going to Martha's Vineyard for lunch where you always have to park facing southwest at the main airport.
I found that the rudder/vertical stabilizer setup doesn't lend well to an external rudder lock, so we designed this unit which takes about 5 seconds to install and remove.
![](/community/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fimg72.imageshack.us%2Fimg72%2F9316%2F20081001rudderlock00022dz8.jpg&hash=85a79dab790df3e7382b82ed517a7be9)
By USCANAM
Here you see the unit attached to the passenger right and left rudder pedals by slots that are cut in the sides of the unit. They slide over the spacers.
![](/community/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fimg441.imageshack.us%2Fimg441%2F5515%2F20081001rudderlock00032ba3.jpg&hash=a721a50f0ea9a3ba23c8eaa82a0280e1)
By USCANAM
Here's where the unit attaches to the sheet metal in front of the main spar.
![](/community/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fimg513.imageshack.us%2Fimg513%2F4467%2F20081001rudderlock00052hd6.jpg&hash=2897dc6906c58ccd3c8501664e525450)
By USCANAM
Here's a view looking down, and the locking pin.
To install, the two hooks fit around the spacer on the rudder pedals.
Then, at the other end, the slot in the tube slides over and up the angle until the rod is tight, then put in the lock pin.
We might paint the unit red, but we do have a "Remove Before Flight" ribbon coming. However, you'd have to be really unaware (dumb) to even taxi with the lock in place.
I wouldn't want to use this as a rudder lock if the plane lived outside all the time, but for short use, it works great.
I'd be happy to take more detailed pictures if needed.
Jack
Many times when landing for a short stay at another airport, you cannot park into the wind, especially going to Martha's Vineyard for lunch where you always have to park facing southwest at the main airport.
I found that the rudder/vertical stabilizer setup doesn't lend well to an external rudder lock, so we designed this unit which takes about 5 seconds to install and remove.
![](/community/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fimg72.imageshack.us%2Fimg72%2F9316%2F20081001rudderlock00022dz8.jpg&hash=85a79dab790df3e7382b82ed517a7be9)
By USCANAM
Here you see the unit attached to the passenger right and left rudder pedals by slots that are cut in the sides of the unit. They slide over the spacers.
![](/community/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fimg441.imageshack.us%2Fimg441%2F5515%2F20081001rudderlock00032ba3.jpg&hash=a721a50f0ea9a3ba23c8eaa82a0280e1)
By USCANAM
Here's where the unit attaches to the sheet metal in front of the main spar.
![](/community/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fimg513.imageshack.us%2Fimg513%2F4467%2F20081001rudderlock00052hd6.jpg&hash=2897dc6906c58ccd3c8501664e525450)
By USCANAM
Here's a view looking down, and the locking pin.
To install, the two hooks fit around the spacer on the rudder pedals.
Then, at the other end, the slot in the tube slides over and up the angle until the rod is tight, then put in the lock pin.
We might paint the unit red, but we do have a "Remove Before Flight" ribbon coming. However, you'd have to be really unaware (dumb) to even taxi with the lock in place.
I wouldn't want to use this as a rudder lock if the plane lived outside all the time, but for short use, it works great.
I'd be happy to take more detailed pictures if needed.
Jack
Last edited: