How does the trim cable work?

[3Dreaming]

Re: How does the trim cable work?

You could use some .040 safety wire instead if there is clearance.

[Scott]

Re: How does the trim cable work?

Just one thing to add....
the reason you cannot use a turnbuckle is because the trim jack screw is aft of the elevator hinge point. This means the cable needs to be longer when the elevator is neutral and get shorter as the elevator moves up or down. Setting the spring with the elevator in the full up or down position will ensure that the cable has tension through full range of elevator travel.

By the way, elevator and aileron cable tension also changes with elevator position. Possibly why you won't find a cable tension spec anywhere

[Guest]

Re: How does the trim cable work?

Scott,

That's a really good point. I usually adjust the spring tension with neutral elevator (mostly because that's the position where it is when I adjust the trim while taxiing or roll out) but that is the wrong way. It should be full up or full down elevator and I will do that in future. Really good point.

Thanks, Dave.

[flyguy]

Re: How does the trim cable work?

Well this is going to screw up everyone's head. I think I have a turnbuckle on my trim cable. I have forgotten because I cleaned up the gearing etc and tweaked everything 10 years ago and it has worked absolutely perfect ever since. For sure there is no spring. My other two Taylorcrafts (same model) had springs and were a constant source of problems (NO I did not remove the spring on this one). Go figure. I'm not complaining.

My first BC12 was a piece of junk when I bought it and one time when I first got it I had to fly the pattern once and land with FULL up trim. That was interesting for a low time pilot. That plane was an education in aviation reality.