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Aileron trim

nohoflyer

nohoflyer

Well Known Member
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I realize I have a manual aileron trim kit sitting around. Honestly since it was not in the main body of the wing plans, I missed it.

Questions: how difficult is it to install and does vans make an electrical aileron trim kit and should I go that direction.

My plane is still under assembly but the wings are done.
 
If aileron trim in the 7 is like the 9 then the mechanism is no more than a set of balancing springs in the center under the seats . The manual lever actually applies a small spring load to the aileron via the control link which connects the two control sticks. Pretty simple . No wires no power!!
 
Manual and electric work the same way. On the manual you turn a lever to preload spring tension to one side on the stick assy, on the electric a servo does it for you.

OP- on either one of them there's nothing to do in the wings. That all goes under the floor between the seats so it gets dealt with as you're building the fuselage
 
Walt said:
IMO aileron trim is not necessary, just switch fuel tanks.
Click to expand...
Walt, I mostly agree with your positions but I have to disagree with you on this one. Maybe your stance holds true for the 7 but in my 9, and other 9s I have flown, the aileron trim does help. There is quite a left turning tendency when flying solo. My weight in the left seat adds enough that the plane wants to turn left. The manual trim works very well to trim the turning tendency out. Yes, balancing the fuel during flight helps and flying with a passenger helps balance things out too, but flying solo does change things.

To answer the OP, the manual trim works well. It is installed under the seat pan with springs attached to the aileron push rods. It can be installed in a flying airplane if needed.
 
I put electric trim on my -4 and use it. I did electric trim in the aileron, which was a VANs kit to mount the MAC servo, however, I didn't like the hinge type tab that stuck out, so I built this tiny 6" long tab into the outboard end of the aileron, the same way the elevator trim tab is made. I have elevator/aileron trim and flap controls all on my stick grip, which allows you do all the functions while flying the plane and not reach for a button or lever.Trim Tab.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
nohoflyer said:
I realize I have a manual aileron trim kit sitting around. Honestly since it was not in the main body of the wing plans, I missed it.

Questions: how difficult is it to install and does vans make an electrical aileron trim kit and should I go that direction.

My plane is still under assembly but the wings are done.
Click to expand...

I can't speak to the manual aileron trim installation but I installed the electric trim on my 7. It shouldn't be that much of an issue to install it on a finished fuselage. The spring bias MAC trim goes in the fuselage under the floor not in the wing. I had manual trim in the 4 which I installed after the fact and it also worked fine. I think either would be ok.
 
Walt said:
IMO aileron trim is not necessary, just switch fuel tanks.
Click to expand...
I'm with Walt on this one. I installed the aileron trim on my -9A but left the springs disconnected during Phase 1 testing to ascertain if I had a heavy wing (I did not). After 40 hours, I see no need for it as it is a reminder to switch fuel tanks. Better to balance the aircraft with fuel rather than aileron, if possible, IMO.
 
Yes, have manual trim on my -7 and like it. Passenger or no, wing tank fuel levels, all cause slight differences.
I simply reach down and trim, then my stick is nicely balanced. Will have an electric on my -14 project.
 
fixnflyguy said:
I put electric trim on my -4 and use it. I did electric trim in the aileron, which was a VANs kit to mount the MAC servo, however, I didn't like the hinge type tab that stuck out, so I built this tiny 6" long tab into the outboard end of the aileron, the same way the elevator trim tab is made. I have elevator/aileron trim and flap controls all on my stick grip, which allows you do all the functions while flying the plane and not reach for a button or lever.View attachment 74831
Click to expand...
Fixnflyguy,
Did you have to un-skin, then reskin to mount the motor?
I've been thinking about this as a winter upgrade, but really do not want to open my wings.
Lazy?
Daddyman
 
Daddyman58 said:
Fixnflyguy,
Did you have to un-skin, then reskin to mount the motor?
I've been thinking about this as a winter upgrade, but really do not want to open my wings.
Lazy?
Daddyman
Click to expand...
The motor mounts in the L/E of the aileron, and a section of it unscrews and pulls out. I had already built my aileron, and modified it along the way. I have the install drawings in my data folder at the hangar. I ran my wires through same conduit as my wingtip lights and routed it out the fiberglass wingtip into the end of the aileron. Can send you more pictures..the little tab fabrication was easy and looks more "production"...Hope the -6 you have is doing well!
 
nohoflyer said:
I realize I have a manual aileron trim kit sitting around. Honestly since it was not in the main body of the wing plans, I missed it.

Questions: how difficult is it to install and does vans make an electrical aileron trim kit and should I go that direction.

My plane is still under assembly but the wings are done.
Click to expand...
My RV7 has a manual aileron trim. I like it. It is very easy to operate and I see no reason to go with electric trim over this manual system. Electric would add un-necessary complication and would not be easier to use.

Having looked at mine every year during the condition inspection I would think it is bone simple to install. It is not very complex.

PS the manual system is all under the seat pans which are easy to remove.
 
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