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          Wed, 12 Jul 2000 10:51:22 -0400
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Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 10:57:38 -0400
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
From: Marvin Kaye <marvkaye@olsusa.com>
Subject: Control Flutter; Elevators ailerons & flaps
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Posted for "Don Skeele" <dpske@teleport.com>:

Had an unsettling experience at the recent Arlington Airshow.  There were 
several Lancairs there and some really beautiful machines, but a couple of 
them had considerable looseness in their aileron, elevator control 
linkage.  One owner causally remarked that he could see the aileron flutter 
in flight, A BUMMER.

I believe we have a better than average safety record, but as our beasts 
age, they can get cranky and develop wear in the most ingenious 
places.  The three control systems are the most critical and because our 
A/C are fast they are more intolerant of control looseness.

Hold the ailerons/elevators and move the stick to check looseness, if you 
have any play, you are on the way toward more of it and perhaps destructive 
flutter now or later.

The flaps MAY not be as critical as they are usually not in a neutral 
position and move through neutral less often.  In flight,( with all else 
quiet, radios etc) at cruise and in the more importantly in the "yellow" 
zone airspeeds, see if you can get a rumble or a buzzing sound or feeling 
from the A/C by moving each of the controls through its neutral point in 
the airstream.  In my beast a loose left outboard elevator hinge produced a 
buzzing sound; that fixed with a new hinge, later, a loose elevator control 
horn produced a rumble, fixed that with a larger bolt, rod end bearing, and 
a reamed one size hole (AN-3 to AN-4) control horn.  And now, I have an 
almost imperceptable click in the forward Bellcrank, and it doesn't get 
easier to fix.

Talked with Don Getz today to try to stir up some interest for the Redmond 
Get together  Labor Day weekend..A forum/ BS Session.  Whatever.. Regards 
to all.

Don Skeele A&P, N320J
a 235/320 with 600 hrs.

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Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
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