Message-Id: <9907219325.AA932586495@cardell.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 15:48:08 -0400
From: <dechaze@cardell.com>
To: <lancair.list@olsusa.com>
Subject: Re: Elevator and Rudder Balance 
Mime-Version: 1.0

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Dana Westphal asks about balancing the elevators...

Balance them before tightening the attach bolts.  Friction does not play into
the requirement for balance, but will hinder your ability to tell when you've
achieved balance.  Don't forget to balance after you've installed all of your
mass components such as the electric trim servo.  (same for the taillight on the
rudder).  As others have said, it's wise to overbalance a little so that when
the primer, filler and paint go on, you don't find yourself having to add more
balance weight.

By the way, the rudder balance can be done without the lead bars bonded to the
leading edge shown in the manual.  The 4 pounds of lead shot in the
counterbalance area were not enough so I extended the "nose" with lead as needed
to achieve balance about the hinge line.  Using the difference in moment arms, I
figure the lead (weight) savings was a factor of 5 to 10 and worth several
pounds.  To do this I made the nose extension out of foam and made a layout
around this.  This became a female mold after I carved out the foam.  I poured
molten lead (propane torch applied to lead in a sauce pan) into the layup which
was suspended in a pan of water.  After a few minutes I had a lump of lead with
a bid covering shaped to fit nicely.  

Best Regards,
Ed de Chazal


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