sensitive aileron, unstable roll

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 5:13 pm

If you recall I had a very twitchy and unstable aileron roll tendency at high speed. Weather has been unfriendly for much high speed runs so It's been on hold.
Finally got to work on the sensitivity issue. I emailed Vans and got a response "huh, never heard of that problem". My friend and test pilot said he noticed it a little but at the time I had a heavy left wing, so didn't it didn't really develop. Tuesday, I called Vans and spoke with a tech rep. He said squeeze the aileron trailing edge, but not enough to see a change. Just lightly use some seamer pliers. GO EASY. Well, I did that yesterday and flew today.

WOOHOO!!!! problem seems solved. She is still very responsive, but tapping the stick was no problem. she rocked 1 or 2 times and then rock solid....perfect.

I am able to fly faster than before due to the increased stable feeling. I was level at 186kts, but hard to snap at pic that is readable with my phone. (ignore the fuel flow, it failed last flight, now shows 5gph at idle).

Went to 9S5, to visit the FBO that is helping me host the SARL race.

Life is good. 16hrs to go and then it will be even better.

N155RE · Post by **N155RE** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 6:34 am

Glad to hear the problem is fixed. Looks like you have a nice fast plane.
Can't wait till my plane is done.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 2:19 pm

Dude...you've got to have one of the fastest 7's out there! That is just SMOKIN'!!!

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:33 pm

cjensen wrote:Dude...you've got to have one of the fastest 7's out there! That is just SMOKIN'!!!

it's that paint scheme you worked up for me, even looks to be going fast when sitting still.

I pretty sure I'll be over 190kts when I get things dialed in. I never had it WOT, > 2500rpm and level at the same time. I was climbing out yesterday at 2600fpm at first then settled into 1800fpm from 4400-7500msl. The RamAir seems to be working real good at altitude also.

dons · Post by **dons** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 10:15 pm

Very good news Brian! That is fast, you are going to have fun with the SARL, a great bunch of guys/gals.

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 10:32 pm

Except I don't know how those guys go that fast for very long. I get beat around pretty good and have to pull back the power. I don't want to break anything.

lancef53 · Post by **lancef53** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 4:58 am

Brian, what kind of G's are you seeing when you are getting beat around? Hard to believe it can be anywhere near the planes limits.

Or are you talking about breaking yourself

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 7:09 am

I don't know about the G load. I've only had a few hard hits, but it seems the turbulence is constantly popping the plane around. Since I'm up in the yellow arc, I don't want to take a big hit....I'm probably just a big wuss.

lancef53 · Post by **lancef53** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 10:42 am

You can check the g loads on the 180, and reset them whenever you want. I have them on the display where you have the VS indicating 150. Those EFIS units have lots of info, if we can find it

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 10:57 am

probably my biggest recorded G load's have happened during landing.

lancef53 · Post by **lancef53** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 6:17 pm

I know just what you mean!!

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 6:58 pm

Wuss'es live longer... in general.

dons · Post by **dons** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 1:27 pm

hydroguy2 wrote:Except I don't know how those guys go that fast for very long. I get beat around pretty good and have to pull back the power. I don't want to break anything.

They have slightly different "priorities", I kinda like the idea of going easy on the engine and airframe, but then that's me. I've been driving standard transmissions all my life and have yet to wear out a clutch (current vehicle is 13 years old, same age as my previous one when I retired it). I have friends that go through clutches every few years. If I spend 10 years building this RV, I am likely going to be a bit of wuss with it too.

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 3:38 pm

Engine break-in is different for me also. I used to be a hot rod car guy and running the engine hard meant you worked on it more often. Now EVERY mechanic/engine guy has said, Run it hard for break-in or you'll end up with a oil burner and be doing cylinders before TBO.

Also I've been tuning my plane in prep for a Sport Air Race or two.