How much clearance is needed between the Elevator and Elevator Trim Tab?

[Brett H]

I currently have a minimum clearance of 1/16”.

Is this sufficient or how much should I move the Trim Tab inboard?

Thanks.

Brett H
Columbus, IN

 

[bjdecker]

Trim the pieces circled in green piece flush with the purple lines...

 

[Desert Rat]

you didn't specify which model you're building, but the plans for the RV7 call out 3/16" minimum there. They call out 1/4" gap for the other control surfaces so I made my trim tab gap 1/4" to match everything else.

 

[Richard Connell]

The skins are pre punched so that gap is determined by how you drill the hinge.



It does appear to me that you may have very slightly misaligned the two starter holes in the hinge and therefore have a slightly smaller gap than intended.

Agree that trimming up the trailing edge should be sufficient here but it can’t hurt to measure the final gap and ask the factory.

 

[Brett H]

I currently have a minimum clearance of 1/16”.

Is this sufficient or how much should I move the Trim Tab inboard?

Thanks.

Brett H
Columbus, IN

View attachment 119498

Thanks for the responses.

My bad. I figured out what I did wrong.



I drilled both of the pilot holes 1/4” from the end of the hinge. The forward half pilot was supposed to be drilled only 3/16” from the end. My error reduced the clearance 1/16” and fits with the inboard end of the trim tab being 1/16” outboard of the inboard edge of the elevator. Also, I have not found in the RV-14A plans where the minimum clearance is specified.

So, time for a new piece of hinge material. With Van’s not having it in stock, I will either order from Aircraft Spruce or narrow some MS20257-3 hinge material that I have.

Bummer that I made the error. Thanks for the help resolving it.

Brett H
Columbus, IN