thanks ian, that is quite generous. I'll keep trying, let you know where I end up. I hear you Rob, and because you shared the fear. I check airbrake function as per your instructions after every assembly, and do a slightly less complete check ( Kristin at controls, I hold brake shut, call and respond. Kristin then pulls full brake, I feel around the perimeter, then grab the brake and hold tight while Kristin moves lever and calls "resistance". I release, she closes, and I verify full closure) before each flight. I went to fuel up one frosty morning and the airbrakes had frozen shut - very disturbing sensation to pull the handle and get no movement at all !!! Any opinion Nigel ? Thickness of airbrake ? Adjust turnbuckle for more closure tension on cable ? If I recall correctly, the adjustment turnbuckle is right there behind the keel inspection panel at the copilot left hip. Any specs for the airbrake/box closure spring ?
Cheers On Sun, May 14, 2023 at 6:17 PM Rob Thompson <amessageto...@gmail.com> wrote: > *Question:* When you push the raised section down, does it go correctly > into position? I once fixed a similar problem but it was caused by an > improper fit underneath the spoiler stopping it going all the way down. > > *WARNING!!! *The spoilers can jam *VERY* easily after an adjustment and > you will only find out about it when the air is flowing over them, most > likely when you are on finals which happened to me and I got some > sideslipping practice. > To test them, get one, preferably two people to spread their fingertips > along the top of each spoiler and use friction to push the spoiler > backwards and lightly downwards. Effectively simulating the airflow. If the > fit is incorrect they will jam! The reason for this is that in the very > first bit of normal movement of the spoiler is backwards not just upwards. > It is a good idea to check this at least at every annual inspection. > > Rob > > Rob Thompson > 0429 493 828 > > > > On Mon, May 15, 2023 at 3:33 AM Tom Preisser <t...@ecoflight.com> wrote: > >> I have a slightly warped airbrake which sits properly throughout 85% of >> its span, but then proud of the surface for the outboard 15%. >> Only five mm high at the very end, but it bothers me. Three fixes come to >> mind - >> I could grind it thinner, bringing it down to the surface of the wing. >> I could mount another closure spring at that end. Even a little closure >> force is sufficient. >> I could weight it into form as it sits in the hot sun this summer, maybe >> even paint a black topcoat, and see what it gets (?). >> >> Two questions; >> Does anyone have a better idea ? >> Has anyone replaced their closure springs ? I did on both wings, and it >> isn't perfect - the common springs from the hardware store are close to >> yield when airbrake is fully open, and don't provide much closure force >> when airbrake is shut, i.e. if I flip a wing upper surface down the >> airbrake will hang open just a little. Perhaps >> the much more powerful airbrake closure spring isn't adjusted properly to >> compensate for wear at the junction of the ball and pin drive on the wings >> and the torque drive tube slots in the airbrake drive tube in the wing root. >> Any and all thoughts would be much appreciated. >> >> >> >>
