I thought I would share my experience with the heavy wing on my RV-7A.
It began when Van’s shipped two right hand ailerons in my Quickbuild wing kit. When I advised Van’s they then shipped my left hand aileron some months later. But more of that later.
On the first flight Glenn advised that, even with full R/H aileron trim, the aircraft would roll to the left when he let go of the control stick. It especially became very noticeable at speeds approaching 150 Kts. These two photographs show the misaligned aileron trail.
https://flic.kr/p/2onV3bT
https://flic.kr/p/2onSgWk
Subsequently, we downloaded the Van’s “How to diagnose and fix a heavy wing” and worked our way through this document.
The following is what we found and the actions taken initially.
1. The ball in the PFD was centred in cruise flight.
2. The angle of incidence of both wings is 1 degree.
3. The flaps and ailerons on both wings are aligned as per the wing template.
4. I measured the depth from the top of the aileron to the top of the hinge point bolts. The variation between the measurements was 0.012”.
5. We reduced the trailing edge radius of the right aileron and found no observable difference on the flight performed after this was accomplished.
6. Manufactured a trim tab as per Chapter 15 of the Construction Manual and attached it to the right aileron with duct tape. We found no observable difference on the flight performed after this was accomplished.
It began when Van’s shipped two right hand ailerons in my Quickbuild wing kit. When I advised Van’s they then shipped my left hand aileron some months later. But more of that later.
On the first flight Glenn advised that, even with full R/H aileron trim, the aircraft would roll to the left when he let go of the control stick. It especially became very noticeable at speeds approaching 150 Kts. These two photographs show the misaligned aileron trail.
https://flic.kr/p/2onV3bT
https://flic.kr/p/2onSgWk
Subsequently, we downloaded the Van’s “How to diagnose and fix a heavy wing” and worked our way through this document.
The following is what we found and the actions taken initially.
1. The ball in the PFD was centred in cruise flight.
2. The angle of incidence of both wings is 1 degree.
3. The flaps and ailerons on both wings are aligned as per the wing template.
4. I measured the depth from the top of the aileron to the top of the hinge point bolts. The variation between the measurements was 0.012”.
5. We reduced the trailing edge radius of the right aileron and found no observable difference on the flight performed after this was accomplished.
6. Manufactured a trim tab as per Chapter 15 of the Construction Manual and attached it to the right aileron with duct tape. We found no observable difference on the flight performed after this was accomplished.