REFLECTOR: Aileron self-centering

Jim Agnew jim_agnew_2 at yahoo.com
Mon Aug 2 18:08:09 CDT 2004


Yes, on my 173 with Alan Shaw wings, SS torque tubes and
universal joints.  More responsive and smother.

Jim
--- Lynn Gallup <LGallup at mn.rr.com> wrote:

> Velo-people,
> A while back I started a thread called "aileron
> stiffness". This really
> related more to the degree of aileron self-centering
> following a turn than
> to stiffness per se.  On my airplane I thought the
> ailerons displayed almost
> no self-centering in flight and I attributed this to
> stiffness or friction
> in the system.
> 
> I noticed that on the ground the aileron control seemed
> fairly smooth and
> easy compared to in-flight so I decided to reject the
> "stiffness and
> friction" hypothesis and look elsewhere. I postulated
> that there might be
> some kind of "slack" or "wrap-up" in the system due,
> possibly, to bending of
> the aileron torque tubes because they are not attached at
> the center of
> pivot of the ailerons. As an experiment, I adjusted the
> ailerons so they had
> a half-inch of droop when centered. I felt this would
> torque-load the system
> in flight and I should feel at least something different.
> I have now flown
> the airplane about ten hours this way and pretty much put
> it through it's
> paces. My feeling is that the change definitely helped
> but not enough.
> 
> I believe the aileron droop idea is really a second-order
> fix, good enough
> for an experiment but not the primary factor so I really
> don't want to
> increase the droop;  I might break something - Like my
> head. So I am now
> thinking about two things (1) replacing the aluminum
> aileron torque tubes
> with steel and/or (2) installing universal joints where
> the tubes attach to
> the ailerons.
> 
> Have any of you had any experience with either of these
> ideas?
> 
> Regards,
> Lynn
> 
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=====
James F. Agnew
Jim_Agnew_2 at Yahoo.Com
Tampa, FL
Velocity 173 Elite Aircraft Completed & Flying


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