---------------------------------------------------------- Zenith601-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Thu 03/19/09: 1 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 07:02 AM - Aileron mass balance (K Dilks) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 07:02:53 AM PST US Subject: Zenith601-List: Aileron mass balance From: "K Dilks" Sorry but also posted on main Zenair list. OK this is how I see this. The real issue weather an aileron needs balancing is the design speed and the design of the aileron its self. Low speed plane ( below 100mph) can getaway without either dynamic ( balance weights) nor aerodynamic balance. These designs have a hinge at the very front of the aileron(XL style) Next up the speed ladder is no dynamic balancing but with the hinge point offset so as to act with some aerodynamic balance( plus a small mass balance due to the mass foward of the hinge line. After this is the full mass balance ( but not necessary 100% of aileron mass ) with carefully positioned hinge points to give more aerodynamic balance.IE look at a fully aerobatic aileron, some having spades to give more aerodynamic balance. Last is hydraulic assistance etc etc One thing that strikes me is that even if the cable tension is correct they then presume that the blob in the cock pit is holding the stick tight. Tight control cables do not cure a potential flutter issue, they just delay its onset at best. The issue is what actually causes the flutter in the first place and this is corrected by the correct engineering of mass balance, aerodynamic balance and the aileron hinge point. Obviously profile shape will enter the equation but this is the basics. I am not saying that for sure the XL needs balanced controles but as they would eliminate a potential serious problem and possible make for nice controle harmony why not fit them? In the UK there attitude I feel is correct if they have found a resonable chance of flutter occuring then somthning should be done. Normally aircraft are over engineered in aspects like this to give a reasonable saftey factor but this seems marginal at best on the XL. Sorry for my monolog but had to air my thoughts Kev Brit living Austria ....FAA A+P -------- Austria ............. Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=235226#235226 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message zenith601-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Zenith601-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/zenith601-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/zenith601-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.