Linda. Although it might be good to add "how to response to flutter" on your emergency list, it won't help you in the event of flutter.
I experienced aileron flutter myself that started at around 90 miles and went away with 110 miles indicated. That flutter came sudden and with brutal force it seemed. It was like someone hammered at my right wing with a high frequency. I could not see the aileron flutter, but I could feel it through the controls. So I steered against it and for that moment the flutter was gone. Since you canT hold that steering in a right turn forever, I steered to the other side, and got the onset of flutter in-between. So I zig-zaged for a moment through the air until I reduced my speed below 90 and the flutter would not occur. However, the message here is; Flutter is coming instantly and with brutal force over you. No time for checklists or any thinking or doubts. You need to put load onto the fluttering surface to mitigate the flutter. It might not completely disappear, but it's force can be reduced. Second step is to reduce flying speed. Then land ASAP. The cause for my aileron flutter was a worn outer aileron hinge. In the post-flight inspection one could not see the amount of wear, even when moving the aileron up and down on it's trailing edge. You could though apply forces direct at the hinge and see extra movement. Replaced the hinge and all was fine. I now do test the hinges more carefully at pre-flight. At the outer hinges I apply up and down forces directly to the aileron at the hinge area. Same for elevator and rudders, worn hinges are cheap to replace. I guess, i'll add this to the articles about control system care: http://www.ercoupe.info/?n=Main.Controls Hartmut To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:58:23 -0700 Subject: [ercoupe-tech] Re: control system flutter Thank you, Ed & Bill. Ed, what you did instinctively, I am going to add to my emergency procedures list, and practice to condition the correct response in myself. Linda N3437H (Sky Sprite) L.A. 4f. Re: control system flutter Posted by: "William R. Bayne" [email protected] uurg62m Date: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:12 pm ((PDT)) Hi Ron, I wouldn't. As a practical matter, the question is not unlike discussing the difference between poisons. One must survive before further discussion is possible or of use. Flutter in the Ercoupe is almost always the result of improper maintenance or a severe lack of maintenance. It happens "at speed". If it is understood that the situation can very rapidly progress (mentally) from a pilot's trying to identify the cause of a new sound or sensation to disintegration, it is obvious that one needs a conditioned response that is rapid and effective. You need to (1) load the surface and (2) slow down. These steps should (1) stop the flutter and (2) prevent it from recurring immediately so as to (a) save your butt and (b) save the plane so you can (c) locate and correct all tensions or excessive "slop" in controls that make flutter possible. If it is the elevator, there are two choices...go up or go down. Going down increases speed (and flutter severity, so immediately rotate the bird into an aggressive climb and reduce power. These acts should be brief such that the nose can be lowered without buildup of speed or a whip-stall. The emergency part of the flight should be over, and it should be possible to reach a nearby airport at 60-65MPH TAS without flutter. Regards, WRB _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live™: Life without walls. http://windowslive.com/explore?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_allup_1b_explore_042009
