control wheel vibration

[McRay7ac]

taking off climbing to 2000 ft felt vibration in control wheel when leveling off, from tail section- check for loose control
in tail section all seam normal - removed trim tab to rework slight looseness - anyone had problem like this any
suggestion were to look for problem - Ray

[3Dreaming]

Re: control wheel vibration

I heard a story once about someone flying along side of a Taylorcraft to take some pictures. They said the whole tail was a blur. The person flying the Taylorcraft didn't feel a thing. Check the trim tab real close.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: control wheel vibration

Was it a vibration through the seat, rudder pedals or wheel? Pitch, yaw or roll? When did it start and stop? Did it stop after re-trim on leveling off? Could it have been from the engine through the airframe? I HATE vibrations that come and go! There are SO MANY potential causes and some of them can be VERY dangerous. A loose linkage in the pitch trim system is a good place to start. Also check the tail wires. Do all make the same pitch "thump" when plucked? A dead wire is cause for concern, as well as one with a different "note" when plucked. How about the elevator and rudder hinges? May sound strange, but check the springs on the tail wheel. Does the tail wheel have play. It can act like a tiny rudder and do some strange things if cocked off to one side. What RPM did the vibration happen at? Did you change the load on the prop when it started or stopped? Also check the aileron hinges and linkages. There are control inputs that can be crossed over to a different axis through stability and control coupling functions (rare, but can happen).

What exactly did you feel through the wheel and was there any other places you felt the vibration. Like I said, I HATE unexplained vibrations!

Hank

[McRay7ac]

Re: control wheel vibration

it felt like front tire on car vibration none in floor no vibration in rudder pedals, engine rpm 2100 , will check tail wires, no play tail wheel, no vibration in 30 degree turn

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: control wheel vibration

The vibration was there when in straight and level but went away when turning? That could indicate a loose control surface or play in a control cable. When the surface is deflected and under load the vibration stops, when the cables are NOT under tension the surface can vibrate. Check the aileron cables for excess slop. The ailerons should sag about the diameter of the TE when static and be flush in flight (all controls neutral). The cables should NOT be tight on the ground (shouldn't "thrump!" like a bass fiddle when plucked) like the tail brace wires or they can bind when fully deflected, but should also not be extremely loose (I know, TERRIBLE limits!). The good thing is you could see the ailerons vibrating from the cockpit.
Another thing to look at is the rubber cones on the engine mount. The vibration could actually be from the engine and be passing through the fuselage to the tail.

Hank

[Edwin Otha]

Re: control wheel vibration

When the weather starts to change from wet to dry, I get a lot of calls and generally it's the wood prop. Didn't specify what you had, if it's metal look over all of the items listed, as well as the mount rubbers.
EO

[McRay7ac]

Re: control wheel vibration

Replaced rework trim tab and flue aircraft today about 85% of vibration gone very satisfied with flight - going to order and replaced motor mounts look like they could need replaced thanks for input - Ray