Aileron control cables

[Rex Havis]

Does anyone know the required length of the aileron control cables? I purchased the aircraft as a basket case. The aileron cables were labeled as to their position. I thought the cables were same length but when I installed them, the cables closest to the spar are 142 1/4 and 143 3/4 inches long. The outer cables are 139 3/4 and 139 1/4 inches long. I'm ready to cover the wings but would like to confirm that I have the correct length cables and that they are installed in the correct positions.

[Bird]

Re: Aileron control cables

In my prewar the longer cables are closer to the spar the shorter to the rear, my measurments are close to your measurments but I couldn't get and exact measument the way it's setting but real close

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Aileron control cables

Rex,
You will save yourself MAJOR heartburn for a reasonable amount of work if you FULLY assemble your plane BEFORE you cover her! There is ALWAYS something that is forgotten and is almost impossible to get in after the cloth is on. You have probably made sure of this one, but just imagine how much trouble it would be to string the tube for the pitot AFTER the wings were covered!
Even if you don't have lights, string and secure wires for them prior to cover so if you do want to add them the wire is already there. You haven't lived till you have tried to tie up the wires to the ribs through the inspection holes.
I can't imagine the trouble if there is a problem with the aileron cables that isn't found till the plane is ready to fly.
Hank

[Guest]

Re: Aileron control cables

Rex,
You will save yourself MAJOR heartburn for a reasonable amount of work if you FULLY assemble your plane BEFORE you cover her! There is ALWAYS something that is forgotten and is almost impossible to get in after the cloth is on. You have probably made sure of this one, but just imagine how much trouble it would be to string the tube for the pitot AFTER the wings were covered!
Even if you don't have lights, string and secure wires for them prior to cover so if you do want to add them the wire is already there. You haven't lived till you have tried to tie up the wires to the ribs through the inspection holes.
I can't imagine the trouble if there is a problem with the aileron cables that isn't found till the plane is ready to fly.
Hank

AMEN!

You may also find that it doesn't fit together very well and you need to make adjustments to the distance between spars or stabilizer bolt hole locations etc.

Assemble first with no fabric and see what you discover.

Dave

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Aileron control cables

I concur, we assembled Tim's 46 just before starting to cover, adjusted all control cables to very close to final tension, ran wires, lines, tubes, etc. Made an evening of it and finished off with liquid libation to celebrate after disassembling and stowing all components. This allowed us to confirm we had all the proper bolts and fasteners too. Larry

[Rex Havis]

Re: Aileron control cables

Thanks for the information. I think I now know how to proceed.