I've been doing some test flying for a friend in
his just-completed 320 (he hasn't been signed off to solo in his plane
yet. Don Goetz did the initial test flights). His plane flies pretty
much like mine. One real noticeable difference, however, is in the
freedom of movement of the stick in roll while in flight. On the ground,
the stick moves freely side-to-side... no discernible friction at
all. However, in flight, there is obvious friction. I'm not
talking about stick forces from airspeed... I know what that feels like.
This is friction... the stick wants to stay where it is put. It has an
S-Tec 50 autopilot, however, it is electrically inactive, all CBs having been
pulled. Whatever is causing the friction is coming from airloads, I
think. What would cause this?
Lee Metcalfe
N320WH --472 hrs. - still waiting for a new
prop
|