REFLECTOR: Aileron self-centering

[Donald Royer]

I used 4130 tubing obtained locally.and the universal joints fom Spruce.
They work fine.

Don


> [Original Message]
> From: Jim Agnew <jim_agnew_2 at yahoo.com>
> To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list <reflector at tvbf.org>
> Date: 8/3/2004 6:55:26 PM
> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Aileron self-centering
>
> 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
> _______________________________________________
> To change your email address, visit
http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector
>
> Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery
> user:pw = tvbf:jamaicangoose
> Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail
> Check old archives: http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html