On my 9A build I followed the instructions exactly to, in theory, arrive at 0 degrees incidence on the mounting of the horizontal stabilizer. Now at 330+ hours I'm thinking I want to adjust the stabilizer incidence to reduce the amount of elevator travel that is out-of-trail during cruise flight to get total drag down. Right now I'm seeing the leading edge of the elevator lifted by what looks to be about 3/4" in cruise flight (rough estimate - I'll make some distance markings for a real measurement and go fly), meaning the elevator as a whole is deflected downward, meaning I would need to raise the leading edge of the HS a small amount (or drop the trailing edge) to bring the elevator in trail or closer to it.
Obviously this means returning the aircraft to Phase I to properly test the modifications. My questions are directed to those of you (I'm sure there are some) who have done this, perhaps multiple times, and to get some "hints/tips/tricks" for how to accomplish it.
I'm expecting this to reduce cruise drag, but also believe it will change the low-speed handling characteristics considerably, especially close to the stall for landing. I would appreciate any feedback, even the ones that tell me I'm going to die screaming. So far I've managed to disappoint them but I still like to know how close I'm getting.
EDIT - as this will obviously relate closely to CG, my current full (standard) fuel solo CG with interior and oxygen tank as I normally fly it is between 80.2 and 80.5" aft of datum. This is where I'm seeing roughly 3/4" of the leading edge of the elevator counterweights raised above the HS in cruise flight.
Obviously this means returning the aircraft to Phase I to properly test the modifications. My questions are directed to those of you (I'm sure there are some) who have done this, perhaps multiple times, and to get some "hints/tips/tricks" for how to accomplish it.
I'm expecting this to reduce cruise drag, but also believe it will change the low-speed handling characteristics considerably, especially close to the stall for landing. I would appreciate any feedback, even the ones that tell me I'm going to die screaming. So far I've managed to disappoint them but I still like to know how close I'm getting.
EDIT - as this will obviously relate closely to CG, my current full (standard) fuel solo CG with interior and oxygen tank as I normally fly it is between 80.2 and 80.5" aft of datum. This is where I'm seeing roughly 3/4" of the leading edge of the elevator counterweights raised above the HS in cruise flight.
Last edited: