We have decided to replace the older RV Flap Actuator with the new RV Max Flap Actuator, which was formerly called the RV-10/-14 Flap Actuator. There are several reasons for doing this.
Many of you have our older RV Flap Actuator in your RV-6s, 7s, 8s, and 9s. Due to the popularity of the internal stops and integral position sensor (not to mention the reduced price) of our original units, we got a lot of requests for an RV-10 actuator that had the same features. Because the RV-10 wing and flaps have considerably higher aerodynamic forces, we developed a beefier actuator that had the same force and speed as the Vans unit. This newer actuator has had a great response from RV-10 and RV-14 builders. A couple of years ago we started playing around with the idea for putting the new actuator into an RV-9 given that it had a similar wing/flaps as the RV-10. This worked out very well and there has been quite a demand for it. More recently we have been installing the new actuators in RV-7s also with great success. So, all of this begs the question: why not just one actuator for all of the RVs?
Although we have hundreds of the older actuators in RVs out there, we have recently encountered a problem with a few of them where one will spontaneously retract from full flaps to about half flaps for no apparent reason. This has occurred in three actuators that we know of. After extensive investigation, we have found no mechanical problems so we have concluded that in rare cases where an actuator might be over lubricated, it is possible for the flaps to blow back up. This seems counterintuitive with a jackscrew mechanism, but it apparently can happen. We had one customer who was able to clear out some of the lubrication in his actuator and reported that this improved his situation. We have not encountered “blowback” at all with the newer actuators.
So, what are the differences? The RV Max is a much more robust and higher quality unit. It sells for $50 more but is a much better value—it will probably outlast your airplane. It’s about a 1/4” longer and a pound heavier. It produces about twice the force of the older units.
Due to supply channel issues and shipping delays, it has become increasingly difficult to keep both actuators in stock. Going to just one actuator allows us to simplify our operations and have more of the new ones in stock.
I am attaching some photos of the RV Max in the RV-7.
RV-7 Installation:
Many of you have our older RV Flap Actuator in your RV-6s, 7s, 8s, and 9s. Due to the popularity of the internal stops and integral position sensor (not to mention the reduced price) of our original units, we got a lot of requests for an RV-10 actuator that had the same features. Because the RV-10 wing and flaps have considerably higher aerodynamic forces, we developed a beefier actuator that had the same force and speed as the Vans unit. This newer actuator has had a great response from RV-10 and RV-14 builders. A couple of years ago we started playing around with the idea for putting the new actuator into an RV-9 given that it had a similar wing/flaps as the RV-10. This worked out very well and there has been quite a demand for it. More recently we have been installing the new actuators in RV-7s also with great success. So, all of this begs the question: why not just one actuator for all of the RVs?
Although we have hundreds of the older actuators in RVs out there, we have recently encountered a problem with a few of them where one will spontaneously retract from full flaps to about half flaps for no apparent reason. This has occurred in three actuators that we know of. After extensive investigation, we have found no mechanical problems so we have concluded that in rare cases where an actuator might be over lubricated, it is possible for the flaps to blow back up. This seems counterintuitive with a jackscrew mechanism, but it apparently can happen. We had one customer who was able to clear out some of the lubrication in his actuator and reported that this improved his situation. We have not encountered “blowback” at all with the newer actuators.
So, what are the differences? The RV Max is a much more robust and higher quality unit. It sells for $50 more but is a much better value—it will probably outlast your airplane. It’s about a 1/4” longer and a pound heavier. It produces about twice the force of the older units.
Due to supply channel issues and shipping delays, it has become increasingly difficult to keep both actuators in stock. Going to just one actuator allows us to simplify our operations and have more of the new ones in stock.
I am attaching some photos of the RV Max in the RV-7.
RV-7 Installation: