National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

Can anyone give me a measurement of where the rudder cables exit the Chief fuselage?? The distance from the bottom of the lower longeron and the end of the tail post would do it.

Thanks,

Charlie

Charlie,

6 inches up and kind of a slot 13 to 12 inches from the rear, on my Chief.

I have also seen patches of leather or more fabric cemented to the hole where the cable exits to stiffen the area up a bit. Might think about this.

I was a little anal with the location. I looked at several champs and noted that all of the rudder cables exited in a slightly different location. How could this be if the frame is straight? Then it occurred to me. I small change in the overall width of the wood bulkhead just in front of the exit point will move that point toward the front or rear. If the bulkhead on one side is different from the opposing side, then the exit points will not be at the same place on each side.

The way I located the exit place was to install the rudder and the cables before covering. Then slide a straight edge on the longerons under the cable on the rear side. Note the point where the cable just touches the straight edge. Now do the same on the front side and note where the cable touches the straight edge. Now measure up from the bottom longeron. Do this for both sides.

Hope this helps.

Dennis

While thumbing through my 11AC Service Manual, I found this handwritten notation...I assume written by the Chief's previous rebuilder.

"Cut rudder cable holes, 6 inches up from bottom of fuse, 12 inches in front of rudder stop, measured from front of rudder stop."

Hi Dennis
The reason the rudder cables exit the chief and champ at different location, The rudder cables in the chief are routed through the middle of the fuselage and the champ cables are routed along the outer sides over the longerons.