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Flap vs Aileron Edge in Level Cruise (LIVP)...Not Flush
Raise the left flap up half way. Test fly the
plane. You will probably need to make several adjustments. It is
possibly your ailerons and flaps are creating compensating lift forces thus
increasing drag. Adjust flaps till both right and left aileron/flap differences
are the same. You are now balanced on lift from right to left side.
If you do not get this situation; then your wings are twisted and have
differential angle of attack.
Assuming you have now balanced lift forces on each
side. You now make equal flap adjustments to raise or lower flaps to
maximize cruise speed.
You can also check wing incidence from leading edge
to top trailing edge of wing by constructing an incidence meter.
You make a V block ie cut a V ( of sifficient size
to capture the wing leading edge) into the side of a 1x4; attach it at right
angles to the end of a 1x4x? of sufficient length to span the
wing chord at the wing root. The V notch shall be parallel to the long
1x4. Use another (adjustable) 1x1 or whatever sharpened to a point on
the lower end and of sufficient length to touch the wing trailing edge while the
1x4 spanning the wing will not touch the highest point of the top wing
surface. Attached the 1x1 at right angles to the long 1x4 so that the
point is touching near the wing top trailing edge. Use a digital smart
level and record the angle (to the nearest 10th of a degree) for both right
and left wing at the wing root. Repeat the process at two or three other
equal station points on both wings. The angles should be the same for each
matching station points. Else you have twisted wings creating unequal
lift. You will need differential flap adjustments to
compensate.
Good luck.
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