It's unlikely that I'm going to be able to get much done over the next 2-3 weeks so today I decided to assemble everything built so far and check that all the controls are able to move through their full range without any interference. First job was to work out the movement required in the control stick and aileron bellcranks to achieve the required aileron movement - 36 degrees up and 28 degrees down (64 degrees total). The aileron horn was installed on a pivot on the bench and rotated through 70 degrees and the distance between the end points of the horn at the two extremes measured. This, allowing for some contingency, established the movement required in the outer end of the aileron bellcrank that connects to the aileron pushrod. Aileron stops were then welded to the two diagonals that support the bellcranks - one just visible at the top of the first picture. 3/8" tubing was used for these which can then be sleeved to fine tune the movement down once the wings and ailerons are in place. With the elevator control also connected, the movement of the control column could then be checked for any interference with the floor. This revealed a slight touch at full right, full aft position and the cut-out in the floor was then enlarged slightly to solve this. Next the flap mechanism was checked. This revealed a much more significant interference between the left seat bottom and the flap torque tube pushrod. This required a cut-out in the left seat bottom and the removal of the centre-most tab to provide clearance. This was a valuable discovery to make before I boxed in the flap control inappropriately!
The second picture show all the controls installed and the flooring and seat bottoms screwed into place. Given my efforts over the last few days, I was pleased that the rudder and brake mechanism fit perfectly and once a carpet and control column boot are in place the floor should look neat and tidy. Obviously now all the controls were working as required it was time to open the door get in and have a picture taken (thanks Daryl). One interesting question coming from sitting in the aircraft is which hand to fly with and where to locate the engine controls? - I think a question to the tailwind forum to get views is in order.
It's unlikely that I'm going to be able to get much done over the next 2-3 weeks so today I decided to assemble everything built so far and check that all the controls are able to move through their full range without any interference. First job was to work out the movement required in the control stick and aileron bellcranks to achieve the required aileron movement - 36 degrees up and 28 degrees down (64 degrees total). The aileron horn was installed on a pivot on the bench and rotated through 70 degrees and the distance between the end points of the horn at the two extremes measured. This, allowing for some contingency, established the movement required in the outer end of the aileron bellcrank that connects to the aileron pushrod. Aileron stops were then welded to the two diagonals that support the bellcranks - one just visible at the top of the first picture. 3/8" tubing was used for these which can then be sleeved to fine tune the movement down once the wings and ailerons are in place. With the elevator control also connected, the movement of the control column could then be checked for any interference with the floor. This revealed a slight touch at full right, full aft position and the cut-out in the floor was then enlarged slightly to solve this. Next the flap mechanism was checked. This revealed a much more significant interference between the left seat bottom and the flap torque tube pushrod. This required a cut-out in the left seat bottom and the removal of the centre-most tab to provide clearance. This was a valuable discovery to make before I boxed in the flap control inappropriately!
The second picture show all the controls installed and the flooring and seat bottoms screwed into place. Given my efforts over the last few days, I was pleased that the rudder and brake mechanism fit perfectly and once a carpet and control column boot are in place the floor should look neat and tidy. Obviously now all the controls were working as required it was time to open the door get in and have a picture taken (thanks Daryl). One interesting question coming from sitting in the aircraft is which hand to fly with and where to locate the engine controls? - I think a question to the tailwind forum to get views is in order.
