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RV-6A rudder trim tab

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sarg314(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 9:04 am Post subject: RV-6A rudder trim tab

I am priming things.  I gather that most planes have a small  

rectangle of sheet aluminum glued/taped to the trailing edge of the  

rudder and this is used  to make a tiny trim adjustment to the  

rudder.  I can't find a reference to this in my manual.  Can some one  

advise me of the size of this this and what thickness is usually used  

for it?



Thanks,

---Tom Sargent, RV-6A, almost ready for the color coat.

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rhdudley1(at)bellsouth.ne
Guest

Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 9:42 am Post subject: RV-6A rudder trim tab

Hi Tom,



What worked for me was a balsa trailing edge for model airplanes purchased 

from a hobby shop. I used one about 1" wide attached with double stick foam 

tape. I started with one about 8" long and finally trimmed it to about 5-6" 

after several trials. I have seen wedges of various materials, attached in 

various ways on RVs. I am sure the length needed varies with the individual 

plane. So, it is an engineering experiment to adjust the length as needed 

until the plane flies with the ball in the center at cruise speed. It is a 

separate problem from a heavy wing correction. I used a balsa wedge from the 

same stick as my final rudder trim and painted it the color of the rudder. 

The foam tape was still intact after three years and 140 hours.



Regards,



Richard Dudley



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seiders(at)bellsouth.net
Guest

Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 9:42 am Post subject: RV-6A rudder trim tab

Tom, most use balsa wood and size is determined by trial and error. 

Most I used are about 4 to 7" long by 1.5" wide. After trying in 

flight and size is determined attach it with JB Weld. and away you go.

Dick RV6A

 	  Quote: 	
		  



         I am priming things.  I gather that most planes have a small

rectangle of sheet aluminum glued/taped to the trailing edge of the

rudder and this is used  to make a tiny trim adjustment to the

rudder.  I can't find a reference to this in my manual.  Can some one

advise me of the size of this this and what thickness is usually used

for it?



Thanks,

---Tom Sargent, RV-6A, almost ready for the color coat.

- The Matronics RV-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

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pitts_pilot(at)bellsouth.
Guest

Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 10:46 am Post subject: RV-6A rudder trim tab

Well, I can't really answer your question about the tab size.  A fixed 

trim tab will only be truly effective at one certain airspeed ..... and 

is usually set for the cruising speed most used.  I'm building a -10, 

and am going through the 'trim tab' scenario as we speak.  There's been 

a few emails with pictures etc. on the -10 list about bungee (spring) 

trim systems .... some folks are really creative.  I don't like those 

solutions, so I'm going to attach a hinged tab to the trailing edge of 

the rudder and move the tab with a model airplane servo.  I'm in the 

process of creating the servo controller with a 555 timer in pulse width 

modulation mode.

Linn

do not archive



thomas sargent wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



     I am priming things.  I gather that most planes have a small 

 rectangle of sheet aluminum glued/taped to the trailing edge of the 

 rudder and this is used  to make a tiny trim adjustment to the 

 rudder.  I can't find a reference to this in my manual.  Can some one 

 advise me of the size of this this and what thickness is usually used 

 for it?



 Thanks,

 ---Tom Sargent, RV-6A, almost ready for the color coat.

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Rick Galati

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 91
Location: Lake St. Louis MO.

Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 10:49 am Post subject: Re: RV-6A rudder trim tab

Tom,

A few years ago, I installed this simple wedge now sold by Avery.  Trim its length in 1/8" increments and test fly until you are happy with the performance.  Can be epoxied into place.  My wedge is attached to the rudder with double sided carpet tape, works fine.



http://www.averytools.com/pc-118-112-rudder-trim-tab.aspx

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jimmy(at)jhill.biz
Guest

Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:33 pm Post subject: RV-6A rudder trim tab

Why would you not want to use a small spring attached to the proper rudder 

pedal?



Jimmy



8A

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Larry Bowen

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 802
Location: NC, USA

Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 3:26 pm Post subject: RV-6A rudder trim tab

I tried that. Spring amount that was good at cruise was way too much

at low speeds.  I changed it out for the wedge.



On 12/20/08, jimmy <jimmy(at)jhill.biz> wrote:

[quote] 



 Why would you not want to use a small spring attached to the proper rudder

 pedal?



 Jimmy



 8A

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_________________
Larry Bowen
RV-8 SOLD,
RV-7QB in progress...

robin1(at)mrmoisture.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 5:20 pm Post subject: RV-6A rudder trim tab

Linn,

	To your point here is a trim tab used on our -10. Simple to

build during the process. Some have retrofitted theirs. We just guessed

on size but it works very well.



http://www.painttheweb.com/rv-10/rudderTrim.htm

Robin



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jfogarty(at)tds.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 8:55 am Post subject: RV-6A rudder trim tab

Robin, I think what is nice about your install, per the photo's, it should 

work on all airspeeds and head winds without holding any or much rudder 

control right or left.  Looks great.  Thank for your post.  I don't have a 

trim tab on my rudder, so I hope it fly's straight.



Jim

RV9a

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