Elevator to HS gap

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 8:27 pm

I decided I would get my elevator horns drilled tonight as I got my bushing to do it over the weekend.

I got things down and measured the rod end bearings and got them set to 13/16. I then checked the gap on my elevator to HS where the counterbalnce arms are and they were about 30-40 thousands off, wider on the end toward the weight. I brought the inside rod end bearings out a half a turn and my measurements are now with in about 10-15 thousanths. Happy camper.

Then as I stood back and looked at it I noticed the elevator has a substantially larger gap toward the rudder than it does at the ends. Is that normal? I just don't remember from all the flying RV's I've looked at. It isn't huge but quite noticable. Any comments or suggestions? The half turn on the rod end didn't moce it much so it is not from that.

I really wanted to get this wrapped up tonight.

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 8:36 pm

Okay, I looked at it some more and the top of the HS/elevator the gap looks pretty good. About 3/32 on the tips and 1/8 at the rudder end.

The bottom is what I was looking at earlier and it is 1/8 at the ends and 5/16 at the rudder end. Maybe it is normal. I have looked at a lot more tops of HS/elevtor combos than bottoms.

Though that may change.

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 9:32 pm

any chance of getting a picture?

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 9:47 pm

I should have posted pictures earlier but was to lazy to go to the house and get the camera.

Here is the top and it looks good. Max gap is about 1/8 + a smidge.

Here is the bottom and it is about 1/8 on the outboard ends but about 5/16 on the inboard side. Doesn't look bad in the photos.

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 10:14 pm

I'm going to run out to the shop tonight and take a look at mine. Question does the gap change as you rotate the elevator from one extream to the other? So far I'm thinking you're good.

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 10:19 pm

Good question. Yes it does change when the elevator is rotated. The bottom one closes and the top one opens some.

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:01 am

As I recall the elevator hinges have a fair range they can be adjusted within. It allows for some minor but necessary tweaking. I know when I set mine up I got pretty free and easy with it. Some of the call outs seem to be more like the pirates code, not so much laws as they are guide lines. So when I checked mine out tonight I found the gap closes evenly all along the trailing edge of the HS and top surface of the elevator. Also, as the top closes the bottom widens and vice versa.

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:14 am

Thanks for looking Jim. The gap does stay pretty even when it is moved. When all the way up or down there is basically no gap anywhere across the elevators. The gap just closes as it hits the travel limit going both ways. I did double check my measurement and am pretty sure they are correct.

I might see if my tech advisor is going to be ths way and have him take a look at it for me. It could very well be the bend I suppose. The rudder was very easy but these elevators were much more difficult to get bent. They look okay but might not be quite the correct profile I suppose. I'll check them out too.

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:28 am

John I'm sorry I completely changed my post up there cause after I posted I realized you weren't that far off, if at all. I think checking your leading edge would be a good deal. You may also think about turning your hinge or hinges in a bit. It's hard to say from the pictures. I agree those leading edges are a real pain in the rear.

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:35 am

No problem. I think I will just wait to drill the horns until my tech advisors next visit. There is no reason I have to do it right now and that way I will comfortable with the decision. Once I hear his opinion I wil post back here and maybe it will help someone else down the road.

Thanks again.

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 1:00 am

Right...go get some sleep John.

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 1:05 am

I think I will. Just finished up a little priming I wanted to get done before calling it a night.

Later,