Message-Id: <199906110011.UAA07939@smtp13.bellglobal.com>
From: "Ian B. Crowe" <ian.crowe@sympatico.ca>
To: "Marvin Kaye" <lancair.list@olsusa.com>
Subject: Control surface balancing  LNC 2
Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 20:19:17 -0400
Mime-Version: 1.0

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When I built my elevators I took great care to ensure that the there was as
little friction as possible in the self aligning bearings.  I bolted the
elevators into place and used shims as necessary behind the brackets to get
them as free as I could.  Inevitably there was some residual friction. 
Both elevators were balanced individually, that is I did not bolt them
together and indeed I only had one in place at the time of balancing .  I
was reasonably happy with the results.  I must stress that the bolts were
in place and tightened.

Today I put the elevators back on to connect up the controls and I used
only the assembly fixtures I had made to line up the  the self aligning
bearings.  These fixtures are long bolts bent at 90 degrees so as I can
insert them easily into the elevator brackets and through the self aligning
bearings.  There is no clamping force applied and they act only as a pivot
and locating pin.  The elevator is now quite overweighted without the
correct bolts being fitted and tightened.

My question is where do I go from here?  

1.	Should I rebalance the elevators one by one using only the locating
fixtures?

2.	Should I insert the correct bolts, tighten them and recheck the balance
adjusting the brackets as necessary.

I should point out that the amount of friction in the system with the correct
bolts in place and tightened is very minimal and if you displace the elevator
it will return to the neutral position or slightly higher as I have allowed for
filler and paint.

How have other builders dealt with this problem which is basically one of
trying to achieve perfect alignment of all the self aligning bearings?

I would add my plea to Jeffrey B. Chipetine's, let us keep this forum constructive
and not have anyone feel that the questions they might ask will be derided by
others.  I really appreciate this forum and if I have contentious issues with
Lancair I believe I can solve them discreetly.   There are a number of things I
would have Lancair change but I believe I have the responsibility to build my
aircraft in a manner that will not lead to my early demise. 

Having said that it is often necessary to highlight safety items.
The manner of the highlighting should not detract from the content.
The highlighter should be thanked for the concern he has for all of us.

Regards to all

Ian Crowe.


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