Toobuilder
Well Known Member
I never have been a fan of throttle quadrants, particularily the rudementary levers that are the standard issue on these kits. For cross country flying, I have found that the very fine adjustments offered by vernier controls are essentially a requirement. However, I'm also getting more involved with formation work, and can now fully appreciate how a vernier throttle, while functional in a pinch, is less than optimal for constant adjustments.
Pictured below is my "best of both worlds" solution to my cross country and sport flying mission.
The throttle lever is a simple tubular weldment hinged at the floor and running in teflon washers. The lever provides long throw for fine power adjustments and is ergonomically correct for me. Its also a substantial piece that provides very nice feel. The grip is a standard bicycle grip that happens to match the back seat stick grip. The button on the end drives the boost pump on this airplane, which helps with the Lycoming hot start slight of hand action. Prop and mixture are low and behind my knee for a touch more legroom than I had before, and they are available to the backseater in an emergency. An easy push with the foot gets full rich and full RPM.
I now have over 26 hours of cross country time (to Key West and back), and am quite happy with the setup. The mixture is a bit too low, but I plan on doing a whole new console cover in composite, so that will be corrected then.
Anyway, I figured some of you might find this interesting and/or spark some new ideas.
Oh, and in case you were wondering about the red lever in front of the throttle, that's my tailwheel lock. When it's in the free swivel mode, it stands straight up and directly in the way of the throttle. If I happen to miss locking it before takeoff roll, the advancing throttle will knock it over center to the locked position shown.
Pictured below is my "best of both worlds" solution to my cross country and sport flying mission.
The throttle lever is a simple tubular weldment hinged at the floor and running in teflon washers. The lever provides long throw for fine power adjustments and is ergonomically correct for me. Its also a substantial piece that provides very nice feel. The grip is a standard bicycle grip that happens to match the back seat stick grip. The button on the end drives the boost pump on this airplane, which helps with the Lycoming hot start slight of hand action. Prop and mixture are low and behind my knee for a touch more legroom than I had before, and they are available to the backseater in an emergency. An easy push with the foot gets full rich and full RPM.
I now have over 26 hours of cross country time (to Key West and back), and am quite happy with the setup. The mixture is a bit too low, but I plan on doing a whole new console cover in composite, so that will be corrected then.
Anyway, I figured some of you might find this interesting and/or spark some new ideas.
Oh, and in case you were wondering about the red lever in front of the throttle, that's my tailwheel lock. When it's in the free swivel mode, it stands straight up and directly in the way of the throttle. If I happen to miss locking it before takeoff roll, the advancing throttle will knock it over center to the locked position shown.
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