Larry, Mike, Jim
A "wing heavy" is presumed, in the context of the service bulletin, to
exist following the application of proper rigging techniques. Bending
the aileron trailing edge was never intended to compensate for
incorrect, or "bad" rigging.
It is also a matter of degree. A really "picky" owner that always
flies alone may sense a "wing heavy" condition on the pilot's side when
flying without a passenger to "balance" the plane.
A plane that "really" has one wing "heavy" does not "fly" as intended.
Compensating by incorrectly adjusting the opposite aileron rigging does
not correct the cause of the problem. Unfortunately, neither does
bending the aileron trailing edge down.
The cause may be less lift or more drag, likely from warpage, or
"twist". The wing was assembled at the factory in a jig, therefore if
one wing is warped the condition likely results from improper post
production covering techniques or unrepaired damage of some sort.
Alignment of the nose wheel in flight should be carefully verified, as
well as full extension of both main gear oleo struts. On a level
surface, check alignment of the horizontal stabilizer assembly with
that of both wings. If someone had a main gear fairing landing light
on only one side (unintended and unusual), such asymmetrical drag might
be perceived as a "low wing" condition. I might even suspect several
large venturis on one side of the fuselage.
The amount of aileron warpage possible in ERCO's normal production
process would take little in the way of trailing edge bending to
correct. More can result from an accident. Unfortunately, both the
"source" of the wing-low condition and the "remedy of the wing-low
condition each add drag. Such a ship will always be slower (all other
factors being equal) than one that flies "straight and true". The same
can be said for all Ercoupes with a post-production "fixed" aileron
trim tab.
Regards,
William R. Bayne
.____|-(o)-|____.
(Copyright 2009)
--
On Nov 26, 2009, at 21:23, Mike Powell wrote:
Larry, Changing the trim of one aileron makes the plane fly crooked.
It also causes problems when you land. One wing has more lift. Bending
the trailing edge works and a little bending is enough. Like maybe
1/8 inch.
"According to the service manual, "for a wing heavy condition, bend
the trailing edge of the opposite aileron downward". Why not just trim
the opposite aileron upward?
Larry
N99493"
Mike @ C35
