Trim Tab

[PlaneDan]

Yes, I already have the Ray Allen servo. Does the cable come with the kit or in a separately purchased hardware kit, or is it purchased completely separate. If the latter, what cable is recommended? I will use the same cable, only shorter.

Thanks for the information and Tony, glad you are back at it and I wish you well.

[Tony Spicer]

For CB: Not full time back in the shop. For now, one day at a time.

Dan,

Electric elevator trim with a coolie hat on the stick is great for formation flying. For everything else, it's hard to beat manual trim. Unless you already have all the high $$ electric stuff

What you plan to do is most likely not going to be shown on the plans. Have a look at these two photos of the prototype and you'll see the cable run:

https://picasaweb.google.com/tonyboytoo ... 0339629682
https://picasaweb.google.com/tonyboytoo ... 0701458098

All you need to do is figure out where and how to mount the servo and how to run the wires. No need to worry with it now, as everything will be accessible after the cage is attached to the tail cone. If you're not comfortable doing it, ask your RV buds for some pointers.

Seat is $50 for Naugahyde, $80 for foam, and I haven't paid for labor yet.

Tony

[PlaneDan]

I am going with it because I have the servo. Also, because with the servo, I get position indication on my Skyview and because I can operate it from my stick or a push button on the panel.

By the way, I want to commend you on that seat. It looks terrific and I am sure it sits great. What did you cover it with, and if not too personal, what did the materials and upholstery work cost? What do they say,, whatever it cost, priceless.

I still would like an answer to my question, however.

[Sacpilot]

Tony S,

Are you back to the shop?

Happy holidays!

CB

[Tony Spicer]

Dan,

You still going with a servo as you indicated above? If yes, why?

Tony

[PlaneDan]

Getting close to completing the TC and I NEED to know the following.

How is the trim tab cable run to the trim tab?

What cable is normally used?

Thank you for your time,

PlaneDan

[rlweseman]

Posted by Dan Heath 3/7/2014

Given Dan's instruction below, I like how Tony did it. I will find an appropriate length cable and install the servo in the tail, thus saving some weight of the long heavy cable. Does anyone know where the pictures are, of how the cable is run to the trim horn, or what part of the plans include these instructions?

Thanks for the information.

[rlweseman]

Posted by Dan Weseman 3/5/2014
In response to Tony Spicer's post

Hi guys - Be very careful adding any mass the the elevators. We carefully in small test boring steps tested the VNE to 222 MPH TAS to demonstrate a good margin of safety against flutter. ​Adding mass to any control surface makes this invalid. Like Tony S said mount the servo under the horizontal stab and run a short push pull style cable. whatever you use should be stiff and have no slop in the end.

Dan Weseman

[rlweseman]

Posted by Tony Spicer on 4/5/2014

The servo doesn't need to go in the elevator. Easy to put it under the empennage fairing. Or in the cockpit. Like this:

https://picasaweb.google.com/tonyboytoo ... 4010564242

https://picasaweb.google.com/tonyboytoo ... 6629134898

But the easiest way to do it is to follow Dan's lead:

https://picasaweb.google.com/tonyboytoo ... 5397498626

Tony

[rlweseman]

Posted by Will Mensink on 3/4/2014
Dan, I looked at electric trim and decided against it for a few reasons. According to my measurements the Ray Allen servo is too large for the Panther elevator and would sit proud of the surface on one, possibly two sides . Also, not knowing the required range of trim tab travel required for the flight regime you may need a different size trim tab horn to leverage the required travel. The final kicker for me was when I discovered that there is no weight savings by going through the added time to figure out an installation. All that being said if you do make it happen I would love to hear and see how you did it!


​Will