procedure for adding new r/h aileron trim tab

procedure for adding new r/h aileron trim tab

Postby MarkS » Mon Dec 24, 2012 8:03 am

Kind folk,
Please can someone with expertise outline the procedure for adding a new aileron trim tab to the right side of my PA30 to cure a heavy left wing. We've reset all control surfaces and yokes to neutral and done the things advised in many prior posts on heavy wings. The l/h tab is bent up already. But it's not enough. Is it simply a matter of making a copy of the existing tab and fixing it to the aileron or is the process more demanding (e.g. aileron balance etc?). If someone could suggest a step-by-step guide, I'd be very grateful.
All the best to you all for the festive season. Mark (15503: VH-TWK)
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Re: procedure for adding new r/h aileron trim tab

Postby Kristin Winter » Mon Dec 24, 2012 5:37 pm

Have you checked that both flaps come up the same amount? If you have, then I would droop the left flap slightly, rather than trying to correct the wing heaviness with aileron. You accomplish that by backing out the screw that acts as the up limit stop. You have to extend the flaps to get at the screw, but it is easily visible.

Of course, I would be very curious why the plane was so left wing heavy. Was it damaged and repaired?
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Re: procedure for adding new r/h aileron trim tab

Postby Zach Grant L1011jock » Tue Dec 25, 2012 12:50 am

Make sure you have a properly leveled skid ball. If the airplane is square but still wants to roll with the ball centered, that may be part or all of the issue. I cannot stress this more...when rigging the gear or the flight controls, follow the instructions in the service manual exactly. DO NOT TAKE A SHORTCUT NO MATTER HOW TRIVIAL YOU THINK THE NEXT STEP IS. Good luck. There is probably a simple solution.
"Keep it above 5 feet and don't do nuthin dumb!"
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Re: procedure for adding new r/h aileron trim tab

Postby MarkS » Wed Jan 02, 2013 12:19 am

Kristin and Zach,

Apologies for the tardy response. Thank you so much for your prompt and generous advice.

We had spent a good number of hours setting all to neutral and we have now double-checked the Turn Co-ordinator (per your suggestion Zach). All good. We had made up a trim tab but have elected to adjust the flap in small increments with flights in-between. So thanks Kristin. By end Jan, all should be in good nick - I'll advise.

Kristin, the only material thing we know is this is a B model that had a counter-rotating conversion - shouldn't be a problem? As to whether there's anything untoward in her history, well nothing found (or disclosed) in the pre-purchase inspection, nothing logged anywhere, etc. :-)
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Re: procedure for adding new r/h aileron trim tab

Postby N3322G » Wed Jan 02, 2013 3:42 am

Mark,

You likely have already checked to make sure engines are performing similarly.

I've also found upon occasion - the ball looks centered but hands off there's a slow left turn. If I touch the right rudder ever so slightly, the ball is still centered but the twin now flies hands off straight and level.
Last edited by N3322G on Sun Jan 06, 2013 4:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: procedure for adding new r/h aileron trim tab

Postby MarkS » Sun Jan 06, 2013 11:33 am

Pat,
Many thanks. That makes eminent sense. We'll be sure to double-check next flight. I've always been a little suspicious of my MAP gauge. No's as good a time to make sure...
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