REFLECTOR: Aileron self-centering

[Jim Agnew]

You can get the Uni-joints from Aircraft Spruce (they are
expensive $60-70 each) and you will have to open up the
torque tube hole near the aileron for the joint.  The joint
goes at the aileron never inboard where it will do little
good.  I used .750 SS tubing with a .065 wall if I remember
however I would measure your current tube wall thickness to
be sure.  The SS was a very tight fit and required a reamer
to get a tight fit on the other parts.

You can probably purchase 4130 steel tube for a lot less
locally and the SS as well.  

Jim


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

> Jim,
> Thanks for the response. I intend to go ahead with a
> torque-tube/universal-joint retrofit. Where should I go
> for the parts, the
> Velocity factory or Alan Shaw?
> Lynn
> ==============
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jim Agnew" <jim_agnew_2 at yahoo.com>
> To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list"
> <reflector at tvbf.org>
> Sent: Monday, August 02, 2004 6:08 PM
> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Aileron self-centering
> 
> 
> > 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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=====
James F. Agnew
Jim_Agnew_2 at Yahoo.Com
Tampa, FL
Velocity 173 Elite Aircraft Completed & Flying