My plane is not flying straight and level

[ifdale]

I think as long as I've owned it the plane has not flown straight and level. 1941 BC12-65, 85 hp. Short mount non-electric. When I let go the controls it enters a smooth right bank. Also when I do power on/power off stalls it wants to drop the right wing. We put 4 new Airframes AK struts on it last year. I thought it was right wing heavy and so I thought, let's wash in the right wing. So we did that 1.5 turns and my impression is it didn't change much if any. If I hold left rudder it will fly straight and level. Something I just noticed: When I hold left rudder and maintain straight/level, holding the wings level, looking outside the left aileron is probably a good 1/2-5/8" below the trailing edge and the right aileron is either even or above the trailing edge. Is this causing me problems?

I've been flying with an instructor and he says right wing is heavy. But he didn't say or maybe didn't notice anything about the ailerons. Thanks much in advance.

Isaac

[3Dreaming]

Re: My plane is not flying straight and level

Sounds like you need to adjust the ailerons, and maybe the wash in/out. You might also need adjust rudder return spring tension or add/adjust the rudder trim tab. Remember you will onlt be able to get it set for one airspeed/power setting.

[astjp2]

Re: My plane is not flying straight and level

If you go out on one side for the strut adjustment you need to go in the same amount on the other. I usually do 1/2 turn on each at a time. I also set my ailerons level with the yokes level and the ailerons drooping 1/4" on each side to take up the cable slack. You need to keep adjusting until the airplane flies level. Tim

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: My plane is not flying straight and level

Before you go changing ANYTHING you need to do a careful weight and balance. That will tell you if you have an aft CG (which would make it more sensitive to trim problems) and would tell you if you have an actual HEAVY WING, which would require some deeper work than just dialing in the wing washout.
Once you have a GOOD W&B you need to TRAMMEL the plane to be sure it is straight. These are OLD airplanes and many have crooked components that will cause this. The short version of Trammeling would require you to measure from the base of the rudder hinge to each wing tip trailing edge. If they are not the same, you are out of rig and that will cause this. You also need to put a level onhte plane side to side and measure the dihedral in each wing. More on one side will cause this. You need to check your fin, rudder and stab/elevators to make sure they are in rig and not twisted or crooked. Not likely they could be far enough off to cause it without looking REALLY BAD, but maybe. Next is the control cables and systems, the engine alignment and a host of other "not as likely" problems, but I would bet you have a crooked wing or a wing that is actually heavier than the other, and changing the washout will only fix that at one airspeed.

Hank

This is NOT a complete trammeling guide! IT is much more complex, but a quick check will eliminate many potential problems.