I did a reality check today and in my
situation the Lancair orientation that Joe pictured worked best. Like others I
had tried flipping the weight 180 degrees (flat side on the aileron tab) because
it seemed logical that the mass should be as far forward as possible. It just
didn’t work for me, and the pictures show why.
The two
photos show the weight clearance near the inboard hinge, RH wing. It wasn’t easy
to take the pictures and the quality isn’t great but the first one shows that
there’s about 1/16” clearance at full UP travel, 20 degrees. What shows is the
carbon tab (with the screw head). The weight surface is parallel to the pocket
interior. If the weight was flipped over or on the bottom of the tab there
wouldn’t be nearly enough travel. The second is harder to make out but I’d say
there’s 1/8”+ clearance, and you can see the tab/ weight relationship better.
The aileron there is at 16 degrees DN, 2 degrees more than required. The manual
doesn’t specify how to align the aileron, at least as far as I could find, so I
decided to set neutral centered on the flap. If others chose to set the aileron
top flush with the top of the flap, that would bias the travel downward, gaining
more clearance in the UP direction and using some of the extra clearance I have
downward. Maybe that’s why I seem to differ from other posters. How did others
set their neutral position?
Perhaps the best way to start would be to try different weight positions, see
what the travel is and look into the pocket to get an idea where and how the
weight is hitting. Then choose the way that looks best and go for it. Just use
the same holes in the aileron tab- unused holes in the weight can easily be
filled with solder. -Bill
Wade