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Lew Gallagher

Joined: 04 Jan 2008 Posts: 402 Location: Greenville , SC
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 5:49 pm Post subject: Control surface balancing |
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Hey guys,
This comes under the category of things I still need to learn. I was listening to a discussion at the hangar the other day about what a huge "no-no" it was when a certified plane got sent off for a paint job and came back with paint on the connections of the control surfaces. The conclusion was that the control surfaces had not been removed after painting to be rebalanced ... big stink with FAA involvement.
I think I vaguely remember someone mentioning here about balancing control surfaces, but I've never run across any instructions in the RV-10 build process about what the specs might be and how to balance. Not knowing anything different, I just painted everything in pieces on Wes's plane before final assembly, put it together, and no problems, he says it flies beautifully.
Now I'm concerned. Any info out there?
Thanks, - Lew
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carl.froehlich(at)verizon Guest
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 6:20 pm Post subject: Control surface balancing |
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I had the same issue. Building my 8A I carefully trimmed the elevator
weights to get exact balance, then found I needed to add some additional
lead after paint to rebalance the elevators (the vast majority of the paint
is aft of the hinge line). Building the 10 I noted the elevators are way
trailing edge heavy using the weights in the kit. I sent a note to Van's
about this and the reply was along the line of 'that is correct, that is how
it is supposed to be'.
Bottom line, the elevators are nowhere near balance, paint or no paint.
Carl
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toaster73(at)embarqmail.c Guest
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 6:40 pm Post subject: Control surface balancing |
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Quote: | From VANS, Scott R:
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Chris, Balance limits are a 'maximum' so if your measurements fall anywhere
between zero and the limit, you're good. We've done extensive GVT (ground
vibration testing) and flight testing on the RV-10. The intent is to be
able to trim the weights according to the plans (if called out), bolt them
in and be well within the limits. We put the balance limits in the flight
test section because some builders alter the control surfaces during
construction...additional or different trim mechanisms, skin thicknesses
etc.
If your control surfaces are built according to the plans and your paint job
is not 'extreme', you should easily fall within the limits.
If you chose to check the balance, (excluding the rudder) you can just
disconnect the specific control surface from any control linkage (weight
elevators separately), get it in the level flight attitude and put a scale
under the trailing edge. The rudder would have to be removed, of course to
do this.
scott at van's
-Chris
#40072 (out of paint)
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indigoonlatigo(at)msn.com Guest
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 9:33 pm Post subject: Control surface balancing |
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Excellent, thank you for sharing the information!
[quote] From: toaster73(at)embarqmail.com
To: rv10-list(at)matronics.com
Subject: RE: Control surface balancing
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2011 22:37:28 -0400
--> RV10-List message posted by: "Chris" <toaster73(at)embarqmail.com>
>From VANS, Scott R:
Chris, Balance limits are a 'maximum' so if your measurements fall anywhere
between zero and the limit, you're good. We've done extensive GVT (ground
vibration testing) and flight testing on the RV-10. The intent is to be
able to trim the weights according to the plans (if called out), bolt them
in and be well within the limits. We put the balance limits in the flight
test section because some builders alter the control surfaces during
construction...additional or different trim mechanisms, skin thicknesses
etc.
If your control surfaces are built according to the plans and your paint job
is not 'extreme', you should easily fall within the limits.
If you chose to check the balance, (excluding the rudder) you can just
disconnect the specific control surface from any control linkage (weight
elevators separately), get it in the level flight attitude and put a scale
under the trailing edge. The rudder would have to be removed, of course to
do this.
scott at van's
-Chris
#40072 (out of paint)
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Lew Gallagher

Joined: 04 Jan 2008 Posts: 402 Location: Greenville , SC
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 5:24 am Post subject: Re: Control surface balancing |
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Ahhh, it's in the TEST section! Thanks, I'll check it out.
More reason to know -- I'm closing in on experimenting with Linn's idea of using a microcontoller and high torque model airplane servos IN the aileron and rudder for trim. That would definitely change the balance, so I will find the axis of rotation, mount a counterbalance, etc. but I need that reference first.
Later, - Lew
| - The Matronics RV10-List Email Forum - | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
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_________________ non-pilot
crazy about building
NOW OFICIALLY BUILDER #40549
Fly off completed ! |
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rv10rob(at)gmail.com Guest
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 8:57 am Post subject: Control surface balancing |
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FWIW, someone at Van's told me to just bolt the counterweights on as-is and don't worry about it.
The tail-heavy limits for elevator balance listed in the flight test doc seem really generous. I don't have paint yet, but even with paint, I'd be surprised if I got near the limit.
-Rob
On Thu, Apr 21, 2011 at 10:28 PM, John Gonzalez <indigoonlatigo(at)msn.com (indigoonlatigo(at)msn.com)> wrote:
[quote] Excellent, thank you for sharing the information!
Quote: | Subject: RE: RV10-List: Control surface balancing
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2011 22:37:28 -0400
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Quote: | Chris, Balance limits are a 'maximum' so if your measurements fall anywhere
between zero and the limit, you're good. We've done extensive GVT (ground
vibration testing) and flight testing on the RV-10. The intent is to be
> able to trim the weights according to the plans (if called out), bolt them
|
Quote: | in and be well within the limits. We put the balance limits in the flight
test section because some builders alter the control surfaces during
> construction...additional or different trim mechanisms, skin thicknesses
|
Quote: | etc.
If your control surfaces are built according to the plans and your paint job
is not 'extreme', you should easily fall within the limits.
>
|
Quote: | If you chose to check the balance, (excluding the rudder) you can just
disconnect the specific control surface from any control linkage (weight
elevators separately), get it in the level flight attitude and put a scale
> under the trailing edge. The rudder would have to be removed, of course to
|
[quote] do this.
scott at van's
-Chris
#40072 (out of paint)
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