From: BOBPAS26@aol.com
Message-ID: <9a.15adef27.285a5f4c@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2001 14:41:16 EDT
Subject: Installation of Autopilot Servos
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com, simonc@global.co.za
CC: PTACKABURY@aol.com
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="part1_9a.15adef27.285a5f4c_boundary"
Reply-To: lancair.list@olsusa.com

          <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
          <<  Lancair Builders' Mail List  >>
          <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>
 ...Would be grateful for advice as to when the installation of autopilot 
servos
 is done best...
 
Simon,
Jim White and I are about the same place in construction with our two IV-P's 
in Arlington, VA. We're using the TruTrack autopilot system but think 
mounting and configuration questions should be about the same. Do this before 
you put the top and rudder on.

We have just installed the mounting brackets/hardware for the servos. We 
bought one set of servos for fit and alignment, but this could be done using 
the drawings (if you're good in three-dimension visualization--which we are 
not) or by making wood/cardboard mock ups. We used the actual servos and 
linkage for this installation, but I made a wood mock up and intend to use 
that to locate the Sierra Flight Systems' AHRS--much too expensive to have 
laying around for a year.

In principle, I'd delay purchase of as much of this type of hardware 
(autopilot, radions, instruments) for as long as possible. This stuff tends 
to get beat up/collects dust around the shop, and gets lost if "put away," 
but the biggest reason is that the manufacturers are constantly 
updating/improving these products, and the later you buy the stuff, 
(generally) the better it is--although sometimes at a higher cost.

In any case, you'll need the flight controls and linkage all (temporarily) 
installed to fit the servos--and I'd recommend at least a prelim adjustment 
to be sure you have the required displacement in all axes. We only mounted 
the servos, brackets and linkages to the flight control components. Did not 
wire them or install the panel unit. When done, we took all this stuff 
(flight controls, servos, etc) out and put it away in preparation for 
installation of the vertical stab/top. We generally bag up all 
fittings/components with the required installation hardware--hoping it will 
be readily available and a simple screw on job to reinstall during final 
assembly --everything has been pre-fit. We have used this same technique for 
many components on the plane. 

You're probably not as messy, but we tend to get epoxy on or damage installed 
components if we leave them in place. There are some exceptions to removing 
components, such as the hydraulic system components and lines--but I'm having 
to replace a hydraulic line that has been nicked by a dropped screwdriver. 
You also have to be particularly careful about adding components anywhere 
near other installed things--I had to rerun the brake lines in the gearbox 
area because I installed them too close to the elevator idler arm--because I 
fitted them without putting the adjacent parts in for spacing and fit. I'd 
bet this will happen to you, even if you're both careful, and lucky!

Bob Pastusek


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
LML website:   http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
LML Builders' Bookstore:   http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair

Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>