F-21 Trim problem

[wberzinis]

I have a 1982 F-21 Taylorcraft. I'm having a problem with the trim cable that goes from the handcrank on ceiling to the back trim tab. The cable is coming off from the pully up in the ceiling area. It is a real pain to remove everything fix it and then reset the indicator for the trim. The trim tab gets stuck in the down position (forcing the nose up on takeoff). I'm not able to roll trim to force the nose down, as it is just slipping on the pulley in the tail, because it is jammed up in the headliner near the hand crank. I have had the mechanic look at it and fix it twice. He thought someone rolled the trim all the way up or down where it doesn't have a stop like other aircraft designs. I have flow the plane recently and used just a small about of trim and now it is jammed again, as I went to use the aircraft and notice it on a preflight check. Has anyone had this happen and what has been done to fix the problem? I took off once like that and it wasn't fun, so I always set it visually before I depart. I didn't depart this past weekend. I appreciate everyones help and I hope to resolve this issue, for I would like to fly some more and float season is just 2 months away.

Thanks in advance,

Wayne

[Robert Lees]

Re: F-21 Trim problem

Hello Wayne, welcome to the forum!

There are many threads on trim issues in the archives...spending an hour or two using the advanced search feature may answer your question. The trim design for your F21 is the same as the BC12D, F21 and F22 model.

At first sight, it sounds like the the mechanism in the tail is jammed (possibly by lack of lubrication), so the pulley in the headliner is trying to rotate the now unmovable trim cable...and the cable gets slack because of the tensioning spring. This allows the cable to ride over the big pulley in the headliner.

Get your mechanic to check that all is well at the tail end, before addressing issues at the front end.

Hope this helps,

Rob

p.s. here's your starters for ten:

http://vb.taylorcraft.org/showthread.php?t=49

http://vb.taylorcraft.org/showthread.php?t=528

http://vb.taylorcraft.org/showthread.php?t=1934

[pete]

Re: F-21 Trim problem

Wayne,
I had the same problem on an F19. The shaft on the tail pulley probably has been wound out of the threaded sleeve. I clamped a couple of stops on the trim cable to prevent this from happening.
Pete

[cropduster]

Re: F-21 Trim problem

I also have a 1982 F-21, and had a lot of trouble also when I first bought it. We flew it all the way from Buffalo, NY to northern ND, with it that way . It was a looooog trip.
I took it to my mechanic when I got back and told him about the problem, and he fixed it , and it has been perfect ever since. Don't know what he did, but it has been perfect ever since.

[Tim Patton]

Re: F-21 Trim problem

Check the archives and have your mechanic look at the tail assembly for lubrication. There are diagrams and pictures in the archives that can help your A&P, along with some techniques you can use to minimize strain on the system. I had this problem when I first got my 1981 F-21 but since it has been lubed on a regular basis all is well. Regards, Tim

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