REFLECTOR: Fixes for Stick Slop

[Jim Agnew]

People keep saying that the tubes are 1/2" they are 3/4" I know.  In addition 
part of the perceived slop comes from the torque tubes bending sideways due to 
side thrust.  I replaced mine with the same dimension in stainless steel,  zero 
slop.
 
James F. Agnew
Jim_Agnew_2 at Yahoo.Com
Tampa, FL
Velocity 173 Elite Aircraft Completed & Flying




________________________________
From: Brian Michalk <michalk at awpi.com>
To: bobj at jaxtechllc.com; Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list 
<reflector at tvbf.org>
Sent: Fri, January 7, 2011 4:19:50 PM
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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