Rudder trim in Cruise PA 22/20?!

[Jetfever]

Funny situation, many of you are most likely aware of:

On preflight, I found the right rudder cable "loose". The rudder pedal return spring was broken. This was the correct diagnosis from my Pacer A&P friend who told me where to look. :)

Once the new spring was fitted, everything was back to normal. Or was it?!

On the next flight, 2 passengers aboard, I thought at first the right front seat Pax had his foot on the right rudder pedal, Since I needed so much left rudder pressure in cruise!

Oops, it looks like the left rudder pedal spring is "sacked" and now I have a new (non adjustable in flight) rudder trim system. I will of course renew the left spring now.

I find this funny since my G/F was at the hangar at spring replacement time, she thought I should put a new spring in the left side, and I told her: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"! :oops:

I only point this out because I have read so much here, and in the "other Forum" about Rigging, and a final bend of the vertical fin etc, when:

Could some cruise rudder trim be fixed with a stronger spring, (or an adjusted/ more tension) spring on one side?

I will of course not go into my fantasy STC for a friction type device with a lever by your left foot, attached to the left rudder spring for an inflight rudder trim system. :D

[d.grimm]

Good idea to change both at once. Went through the same thing with car headlights. One burnt out and I went to the parts store and purchased one. The guy behind the counter gave me some crap about buying one at a time, figured he worked on commission and went my merry way. Was back the next day for the other one. Boy did I feel Stupid. Unfortunatley it's not a new experience for me.
Dave

[Curly]

Same with car exhaust systems - if one part is buggered you can almost bet your bottom dollar that if you replace just that part you will be back underneath in a month or so, sweatin' and swearin' fitting the rest of the system that you should have fitted originally.

With the aeroplane I work on the mantra "If in doubt - pull it out" and replace/overhaul it. The times when I have ignored my own advice have usually come back to bite me on the bum - like sleeping in a Baron overnight on a deserted bush strip because the starter "that should be OK until the next 100hrly" decided it did not want to play any more.
A 58 Baron is a real nice aeroplane to fly but makes a lousy bedroom!

Curly

[Tripod]

I really chuckled about the 58 Baron comments! Son and I flew one to Oshkosh in '03, but we sure as heck didn't sleep in it. Very nice airplane otherwise.

-dave

[stevesaircraft(Bri)]

The answer to all your problems.
STC'd

$350.00 for the kit.

I know it is a little pricey for most people, but we are really not making much on this kit considering that we have to farm out the manufacture of all the brackets. The Pulleys themselves are now $12.45 each and there are 6 of them in the system. The rudder trim system wound up being a requirement on our 0-360 A1P conversion in order to pass the lateral stability tests with the FAA.

http://www.stevesaircraft.com/ruddertrimstc.php

http://www.stevesaircraft.com/images/ruddertrimcad.gif

http://www.stevesaircraft.com/images/RT1.jpg

[Jetfever]

That is so cool! I knew I should have done a search before making my last statement.

Nice job, with a logical placement of the trim control.

[Steve Pierce]

There are some pretty smart fellas around here. ;)

[Bultaco Jim]

When I want to make a small rudder trim adjustment, I just open one of the air vents. To bank, I just switch the coffee cup from my left hand to my right. Look at all the money I save!

[Glen Geller]

Jim, are you sure you aren't flying an Ercoupe? You just stick your arm out to make perfect two minute turns!

[Bultaco Jim]

No, and No. Besides, a standard rate turn in a high wing plane is a dangerous manuever, in my opinion.

[Glen Geller]

Why is a SRT dangerous in a high wing? It's taught in every Cessna ever built, in theory it's to get you out of that cloud you accidentally flew into.

[Bultaco Jim]

Maybe I should have said "in VFR conditions". I don't know about you, but the hair on the back of my neck starts to raise when I've lost visability in the direction I'm going, for 30 seconds, let alone 2 whole minutes. Have you ever noticed which planes generally make the sloppy, slow turns in the pattern? Odds are, it's a low wing.
Maybe it's just me, but I'll never do a SRT when the sun is shining. Unless I can afford a skylight of course...

[stevesaircraft(Bri)]

Jim,

Skylight.

21 inch Version

http://www.stevesaircraft.com/images/SL2.jpg

http://www.stevesaircraft.com/images/SL3.jpg

30 inch Version

http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data//898/medium/100_2856.JPG

http://www.supercub.org/photopost/data//898/medium/100_2859.JPG

$90.00 for the paperwork package

[Bultaco Jim]

Brian, I just KNEW you were going to be next!

[stevesaircraft(Bri)]

Jim.

ROTFLMAO......

:D :D :D

[Bultaco Jim]

Brian, you're going to have to translate ROTFLMAO. Not all of us have the benefit of that Bigfoot blood, that all you inbread Oregonians enjoy.

[stevesaircraft(Bri)]

rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off