REFLECTOR: Fixes for Stick Slop

[Bob Jackson]

Sorry, Brian!

 

I forgot about your first flight adventure.  Don't feel bad, almost all of
us have done something.  I had engine problems (turned out to be my own
engine control mis-management) and ran off the end of the runway when doing
simulated power off landings.  And my A/C partner collapsed the nose gear
(poor technique and a suspect weld) and slid down the runway a 1000 feet
grinding away the bottom of the nose!

 

I'm sure your fix would do the job, I'm just concerned about the small-area
steel-to-aluminum contact space.  But probably for no reason.

 

I remember you also had a pretty fancy turbo design.  How is that working
out?  When do you think you might get back into the air?  We fiddle-farted
around for ten years to complete, then another half-year off repair the hole
in the nose after the NG collapse.  Nobody likes the 'when are you going to
fly' question!

 

Thanks for all you do operating and maintaining the Reflector,

Bob

 

  _____  

From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Brian Michalk
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2011 4:20 PM
To: bobj at jaxtechllc.com; Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Fixes for Stick Slop

 

I think it's safe to say I have about .05 hours of airtime on it.

That would be the first flight, and subsequent off field.  However, over
years of airplane work, it's been tight.

On 1/7/2011 12:35 PM, Bob Jackson (Jax Tech) wrote: 

Nice design and approach!  How many hours do you have on it?  

Don't you still have concerns about the effect on the softer aluminum of the
hard steel bolt?

 

  _____  

From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Brian Michalk
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2011 1:02 PM
To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Fixes for Stick Slop

 

There has been little discussion on a fix.  My solution involves making a
saddle, I'm not sure if it's what the factory does or not.

I think the tubes are 1/2", so I bought some 1/2"ID, .25" wall aluminum
tube.
With about 2" of stock, I first machined a flat on opposing side, leaving
about 1/8" thickness.
Next, cut the tube in half along a plane parallel with the two flats.
Take the two halves, and place them flat to flat, drilling a hole for the
bolt.  The tubes can now be cradled in the saddle.

The flats help support the torque transmitted to the two tubes at right
angles.  For extra smoothness, use a thin teflon washer(or sheet) between
the flats.

On 1/7/2011 11:13 AM, Bob Jackson wrote: 

We've been flying for a couple of years and now have 300+ hours on the
plane.  When we started doing some formation flying recently I began to be
aware that we're developing stick slop -- it's not what you want flying
close formation, or when landing or anytime you need small corrections and
fine attitude control.

 

When we built the plane we were leery of the standard steel AN3 bolt that
joins the bottom of the aluminum stick stub and the aileron/elevator torque
tubes) -- even when improved with the U-shaped steel reinforcing collar that
the factory started shipping.

 

In our case, we know that nearly all of our stick slop comes from this
mechanical connection between the stick's torque tube and the aileron and
elevator torque tubes.  We've been on the Reflector for 12 years, but
haven't heard much, if any talk about this problem and improvements that
builders have made.

 

The question is:  do any of you have good fixes for this connection that
eliminates stick slop?

 

Thanks,

Bob Jackson

N2XF

 
 
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