If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
Hello Jack (I apologise if I've not welcomed you already).
What model Taylorcraft are you flying? If a B model, the aileron cables need to be "just so". I know that doesn't help, but there is no spec. Don't have them too tight; just enough to allow for the backlash.
The BC12-D aileron cables are rigged by doing the loop in the cockpit first. The wheels are centered so both are level with the chains over the sprockets. The planes with a turnbuckle between the sprockets are easiest to get level since you can fine tune to level. You do this with the passenger wheel having pressure for right turn and the pilots for left turn. Then the tension is adjusted at the back so there is no slop but there is also no need for the cable to have tension. If the cable is too tight the controls will be stiff. Too loose and there will be play between the wheels.
When the wing cables are attached to the loop the cables to RAISE the aileron is set so the aileron hangs about a trailing edge thickness below the wing on both sides with the wheels locked in neutral. The cables that pull the aileron DOWN are rigged to just take the slack out. Because of the geometry when the clamps are removed from the wheels you should be able to turn the wheels all the way to the stops in both directions without any binding or stiffness. There WILL BE some looseness at some point through full control movement. If you remove all looseness, there will be binding at some point. In flight the ailerons will rise under flight air pressure to be even with the trailing edge of the wing. From what I was told by old timer Taylorcraft folks they never used a tension measuring tool to rig the ailerons.
If the late model planes were the same as the BC12s the same procedure should work fine, I just have never worked on (or even sat in) a later model Taylorcraft.
Comment