REFLECTOR: Sparrow strainer - I'm confused...

[Geoff Gerhardt]

Guys,

As I'm flying more, I'm getting a better feel for the plane and discovering
little issues.  I noticed yesterday that when I really dangle (i.e.
>160kts), I run out of down trim.  I guess I wasn't paying attention
before, but as I speed up, I need to keep adding down trim - I thought
that's what the sparrow strainer was for.  As speed increases, the canard
is generating more lift, so the sparrow strainer trims the nose down so
that less trimming is needed for speed changes.  But then, I was looking at
the way the sparrow strainer is mounted and it looks like it would do just
the opposite.  As speed increases, the sparrow strainer will be pushed
down, adding trim up!  I have my aerodynamic trim installed as per factory
instructions.  I've heard of some who install it upside down, which to me
sounds like how it should be installed.  I have a feeling that if I remove
it I'd have to trim less with speed changes.  Unfortunately, I used some
pretty aggressive silicone glue to put it on and I'm afraid I'll make a
mess of it taking it off.

Any thoughts on the effectiveness/correct installation of aerodynamic trim?

Here's now I have mine installed:
http://thegerhardts.com/velocity/?p=491

Geoff
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