After looking through lots of posts on several threads (mainly this one from last year) I have determined that my best chance to avoid rudder damage, should a thunderstorm with high winds happen again this year, is to use a combination or two gust locks; one holding bottom and one holding top.
The first is the one from AntiSplat Aero. Just bought it so no personal experience yet, but based on reviews I have seen, I think it will work OK. It is a little awkward to install since the center of my rudder peddles (centered between side of fuselage and battery box) is not directly in line with my stick. The center of my rudder peddles on pilot side are about 1” left (outbd) of the stick position.
The second rudder gust lock is a homemade upper rudder holding fixture I made in about an hour from $10 of stuff bought at Lowe’s. It fits very snug and works well to limit any movement of the rudder.
Parts list:
(2) 30” pieces of 3/4” PVC tubing
6’ pipe insulation foam for 3/4” pipe (cut into multiple pieces)
(3) 1/4-20 bolts length (2) 5” and (1) 4”. (I would have preferred eye bolt with longer threaded sections but Lowe’s did not have any)
(3) 1/4-20 wings nuts
(6) 1/4” washers
Several pieces of 1/4” ID rubber tubing
Reuse of one “remove before flight” flag
The first is the one from AntiSplat Aero. Just bought it so no personal experience yet, but based on reviews I have seen, I think it will work OK. It is a little awkward to install since the center of my rudder peddles (centered between side of fuselage and battery box) is not directly in line with my stick. The center of my rudder peddles on pilot side are about 1” left (outbd) of the stick position.
The second rudder gust lock is a homemade upper rudder holding fixture I made in about an hour from $10 of stuff bought at Lowe’s. It fits very snug and works well to limit any movement of the rudder.
Parts list:
(2) 30” pieces of 3/4” PVC tubing
6’ pipe insulation foam for 3/4” pipe (cut into multiple pieces)
(3) 1/4-20 bolts length (2) 5” and (1) 4”. (I would have preferred eye bolt with longer threaded sections but Lowe’s did not have any)
(3) 1/4-20 wings nuts
(6) 1/4” washers
Several pieces of 1/4” ID rubber tubing
Reuse of one “remove before flight” flag
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