National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

What is the correct tension and travel for the aileron cables/ailerons?

My 7AC service manual calls for 45 to 55 lbs with a travel of 28.5 +0 -2 up and 18 +0 -2 down.

My Citabria Service manual calls for 20 to 30 lbs with a travel of 27.5 +0 -2 up and 19 +0 -2 down.

The difference in travel does not cause me much heart burn but the difference in cable tension seems to be an issue. Is this another one of the many typos in the old Service Manual.

What are you using for cable tension?

Dennis

Dennis,
I think I read somewhere (probably on this site) that the 45-55 was way too tight. 20-30 seems more like it IMHO. Sound like you're getting close!!

MikeB

Thanks for the input Mike. By doing a search on "7AC cable tension", I found a comment by Tony Markle that 45 to 55 was too tight and would make the ailerons heavy. The article suggested less than 30. So, unless I am corrected by someone here, I will go with the Citabria specs.

The only things I have left to do is the rigging and fitting/painting/installing the wing root fairings. I have already rigged the flaps .

Dennis

Guys, Aeronca Service Helps & Hints #31:

CAUTION:
Maintain control surface limits and control cable tensions specified in the Service Manuals. Aileron cable tensions may be lowered to twenty five(25) pounds if aileron system is stiff and if system is otherwise in proper order.

David J.