REFLECTOR: Aileron Stiffness

[Scott Derrick]

Figuring out where the stiffness is, is fairly easy.  Its a process of 
eliminating where it is not.

First disconnect the cable ends from the aileron torque tubes in the engine 
compartment.  Do one at a time and see if the resistance in the stick is 
still there. Do the Ailerons swing freely?  If not you've found it.

Do you still have the stiffness with the Ailerons disconnected?  If not, 
the problem is probably misalignment of the cable mount/clamp and the ears 
on the torque tube.

If your stick is still stiff, no this is not XXX rated!  The most likely 
problem is misalignment of one or both of the cables to the center torque 
tube mount behind the front seats.  Disconnect one cable from the center 
torque tube and then the other testing the resistance on the stick.  If it 
is still very stiff with both cable disconnected the problem is in the 
torque tube assembly in the keel.

Some times a cable will get kinked during installation and there is no way 
to fix this except by replacing the cable as far as I know.

Scott

At 03:43 PM 7/13/2004, you wrote:
>I was automatically reinstalled on the reflector list a few days ago and I 
>sent my first message in a long, long time - To an address which I now 
>think does not work. Here it is again, and if you already got it once, I 
>apologize.
>===
>I have one problem with my Velocity which I would like to ask you guys 
>about. My ailerons are too stiff and do not self-center in flight; close 
>attention must be paid to leveling the airplane after a turn.
>
>I asked this question once before on the Reflector and I received a couple 
>of theories about the possible cause but they did not help.  What I did 
>not receive was a message from anyone claiming to have the same problem so 
>maybe I'm the only one who has it - Or the only one who is sensitive to 
>it.  Mine is a hatch-entry (short console) LWRG which I have been flying 
>for over 300 hours. I built it single-handedly from "slow-build" parts, 
>and it is the first airplane I have built.
>
>Rather than launch into a long and boring narrative of all the things I 
>have tried to correct this problem, I would just like to know if there is 
>ANYONE else out there who thinks their aileron controls do not have enough 
>self-centering.
>
>Thanks,
>Lynn
>
>_______________________________________________
>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


"Those who sacrifice freedom to get security, deserve neither."
- Benjamin Franklin