Many have recommended shortening the elevator bell crank. I agree
that reducing the mechanical advantage on the elevator improves stick
feel, but there are downside issues.
Control system pushrod forces increase.
Any play in control system bearings is amplified by the shorter
throws.
Trim spring forces increase.
My recommendation is to change the ratio by raising the attach point
of the forward end of the forward elevator pushrod. I did this by making
longer tabs that bolt to the existing tabs and hook around the stick
torque tube. The alternative is to weld on longer tabs.
I did not like the inertial feel induced by the elevator bobweight.
Also it rotates in the wrong direction to compensate for abrupt pitch
changes. I experimented with different bobweight mass and found my
preference to be zero.
I am not a big fan of the long mount. Extending the cowl and prop
forward essentially cancels out some tail volume, reducing stability. It
also increases surface area, adds weight creating more drag. I have not
found the short mount to be a big maintenance problem.
Regards,
Bill Hannahan
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