REFLECTOR: Elevator Trim Spring

[dmartin@cougar.netutah.net (Dennis Martin)]

Am I missing something?

1) Using trim motor, I moved the elevator to neutral position.

2) With fish scale attached to bottom of trailing edge, I pulled up with a
force of 12 pounds.  The elevator moved from neutral to 1.5 inches above
neutral.  That's good, correct?

3) I attached fish scale to top of trailing edge, and pulled down with a
force of 12 pounds.  The elevator moved from neutral to 1.5 inches below
neutral.  Also good, correct?

4) Brian in the factory told me to leave the question mark glass spring as
is - not to grind it until after first flight.

Out of curiosity, I installed canard on the nose, attached stick to
elevator torque tube.  To test stick pressure, I put the fish scale on the
stick and pulled back.  It required 20+ lbs. of pressure to move the
elevator from the default position (1.5" above neutral) to 1.5" below
neutral.

I know that I'll trim for take off, and that the elevator will behave
differently during flight.  Still, this seems like too much stick pressure
for a first flight.  If it's normal, I think I'll trade my Velocity for a
C-182.  Just kidding, but this doesn't seem right.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Dennis Martin