I am installing rudder pedals in my 415-C. I have been chronicling my progress in photos and will post a pictorial that will hopefully provide some help to those who might want to take on this challenge. I am nearing completion (I think) and have some questions for those in-the-know. Please refer to the pictures I have posted on this forum.
01 Pulley brackets and reinforcement plates This picture shows the placement of the pulley brackets and reinforcement plates. It looks a little weird since they are not at the same height. However, the attachments on the rudder pedals themselves are similarly misaligned. I guess this makes sense because of the need to clear the aileron push rod on the right. 02 Footbrake placements The footbrake can be retained (I am told) by turning the pedal upside down. The instructions in the manual suggest cutting the top part of the pedal off in order to provide clearance. The flipping of the pedal looks like it will work, however I am a little concerned about the clearance horizontally. I am wondering if it makes sense to cut the pedal down on the right side to make more room for actuating the right rudder pedal. 03 Holes for rudder pedal springs These are the holes for the rudder pedal springs. These springs center the pedals to a neutral position when pressure is not applied to one of the rudder pedals. The spring that came with the pedals (seen hanging from the left pedal of the passenger control) seems to be very short and wimpy. Does anyone have any guidance on spring size or length? 04 Rudder pedals installed and connected This picture shows the rudder pedals installed and the rudder cables connected. Aside from the back of the control column, there does not seem to be any restriction for the movement of the rudder pedals aft. Obviously, the springs will contain the rudder pedals when they are installed. I am concerned about how to establish the neutral position of the pedals from the surface the toe board and how tension is established. 05 Cable guides - fairleads This picture shows the cable guides in their position relative to the control quadrant. To the right of this picture (when installed) will be the seat back. Two holes must be drilled into the seat back through which the rudder cables will pass. The drawing calls out for fairleads to be attached to the holes (presumably to protect the cables passing there. What the heck is a fairlead? The material is some sort of fiberboard. Where can I get the material? My last question has to do with the operation of the rudders. The travel of the rudders is asymmetrical from the inboard and the outboard (relative to a turn) rudder. The inboard rudder can travel much farther than the outboard rudder which is limited in its travel by the elevator. How exactly does this work? Do the rudder pedals govern the complete travel of the inboard rudder? If so, how is the outboard rudder limited in its travel? How can I ensure that the rudder pedals are operating as designed? Thanks everyone. Frank Nelson N51DV 415C TOA / California P.S. This is an owner-assisted annual and upgrade. I can use any help that you are willing to give. I desperately want to be airborne again by next week.
