Stiff Elevator

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 00:18

Anyone have any Idea why my elevator would be really stiff in flight? On ground it is not as smooth as I would like but exceptable. Thanks for any help Jerry

Post by **joea** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 05:00

First thing I would look at would be to see if the cable or pully's are binding in any way.

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 09:11

I already did that. Every thing is ok there.

flyingfool · Post by **flyingfool** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:09

Just a thought and to confirm.

Did you check the support wire from the vertical stabilizer to the top of the horizontal stabilizer?

When in flight the lift on the tail is downward. If this wire is loose, it may cause the stabilizer to bend down and bind the hinge.

Just a thought.

By the way, how does one know if the wire is tight enough? How do you measure this?

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:24

Thanks flyingfool that is a good point but not the problem the wire braceing is plenty tight. No movment up or down. I used the strum method to adjust. They are prob. on the tight side. Jerry

CptKelly · Post by **CptKelly** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 18:15

Maybe your Chief is trying to tell you that you should trade it in for a Champ? Seriously, an elevator that is stiff is usually the fault of a dragging cable or pulley that is stiff?

Mike

SFC Hiatt · Post by **SFC Hiatt** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 19:23

I thought you old guys would be happy it's stiff.

Sorry I couldn't resist!

Post by **joea** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 20:53

SFC Hiatt wrote:I thought you old guys would be happy it's stiff.

Sorry I couldn't resist!

You just wish that you had this "four hour stiff condition!"

Wait until you get old like us and we will let you in on a few secrets!

Joe

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 23:45

Sounds like the cable tention is too tight.

Has it always been like this, been getting worse, or did you work on the airplane recently?

nkh

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 10:55

Nathan you were right on. After checking tension with a tensiometer that has been calibrated within the last century found they were set at about 70 pounds. Reset to 45 and now smooth as silk.

Post by **joea** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:39

Jerry,

You just think you are done. Now find out WHY the tension changed and go from there.

Things just do not change for no reason, something in the system is different and until you find out what it is, can you feel really comfortable that everything is ok with the system.

Joe A

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 14:45

Joe the reason they were to tight is because they were rigged the first time with a bad tensiometer. Nothing changed they were to tight from the start.

Post by **joea** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 17:15

Ok, as long as you are fairly sure of that, then thats fine. In an airplane that has been flying for a while and something changes thats not good and whatever "changed" needs to be found.

Have fun flying!

Joe A

Quax1 · Post by **Quax1** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 00:08

Congratulations Jerri !
'Best Aeronca' at the 51st actus Fly-in ! Well deserved !

Mike(who had the second best Aeronca,lol)

Post by **joea** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 09:31

Mike,

Thanks for the news and really, really not happy to have missed the fly-in. First time I missed it in 8 years. Next year am putting in for vacation.

Sitting here stuck on a trip in San Antonio "ain no fun at all!"

Congrats on your second trophy in two airshows Mike!

Joe

National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

Stiff Elevator

Stiff Elevator

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