I would appreciate any comments from pilots who have flown both versions of the hinged ailerons and flex hinged ailerons.

I have flown the flex hinge version and noted that it took real effort to turn (real stiff) compared to my Cherokee 140 which could be turned with essentially finger tip pressure.

One pilot stated the hinged ailerons worked well on the ground but were just as stiff as his prior installed flex hinge in the air.

Your experience on the above, please.

 

 

 

Views: 815

Comment

You need to be a member of Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers to add comments!

Join Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers

Comment by Gene Kujawa on May 25, 2015 at 9:48am

Decided to keep the flex hinge and order the 6W10-1/1 aileron horn. From the info I obtained, it's not worth the effort to install the hinges since the results are nil.

Thank you to all for your input.

Comment by Tim Garrett on April 28, 2015 at 6:50pm
After almost 500 hours in my 601XL, I have no issue with the control harmony. Your brain will adapt very quickly and it will become a non-issue in my opinion. The roll rate and control forces are appropriate for the mission of the 601. 4-point snap rolls would not be possible but navigating and pattern work are easy. Just my opinion. I have hingeless ailerons btw.
Comment by Bob Pustell on April 27, 2015 at 9:35pm

That is, to me, one of the few real flaws in the 601/650 design - the ailerons have very heavy control pressure needs and the elevator is very light and delicate. This mis-match in stick forces makes for lousy control harmony. From my limited experience it seems to be about the same with the flexi hinge and the hinged ailerons - repeat, limited experience.

I plan to shamelessly copy what another builder did and add some resistance to the pitch controls with a linkage adjustment and a snubber in the linkage and to add some "lightness" to the ailerons with the addition of aileron spades (and perhaps the revised bellcrank geometry as well, perhaps not).

Comment by David Gallagher on April 25, 2015 at 9:50am

Gene,

When you flew my hingeless 601XL, I had the original bellcrank.  I have since changed to the 6W10-1/1 bellcrank with different geometry.  The ailerons are much easier to move now.

Dave

New from Zenith:

Zenith Planes For Sale 
 

Classified listing for buying or selling your Zenith building or flying related stuff...


Custom Instrument Panels
for your Zenith
:

Custom instrument panels are now available directly from Zenith Aircraft Company exclusively for Zenith builders and owners. Pre-cut panel, Dynon and Garmin avionics, and more.


Zenith Homecoming Tee:


Zenair Floats


Flying On Your Own Wings:
A Complete Guide to Understanding Light Airplane Design, by Chris Heintz


Builder & Pilot Supplies:

Aircraft Insurance:

 
 

West Coast USA:

 
Pro Builder Assistance:

 

Transition training:

Lavion Aero

K&S Aviation Services

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty for all your building and pilot supplies!

How to videos from HomebuiltHELP.com

Developed specifically for Zenith builders (by a builder) these videos on DVD are a great help in building your own kit plane by providing practical hands-on construction information. Visit HomebuiltHelp.com for the latest DVD titles.

© 2024   Created by Zenith.Aero.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service