Currently building a Fliton Inspire 60. However, there is a problem with the elevators. When they are mounted to the Horizontal Stab one of them droops about a half inch lower than the other!! I am not using the dowel. I tried to use the CA hinges and once I saw the difference I cut them out and replaced them with Robart Hinge Points. No difference. Same exact droop.

The Horizonal Stab is level, the hinge holes/slots were centered. If I raise one elevator and lower the other I can get the training edges to be level. However, then the leading edges of the elevator do not line up with the horizontal stab. The droopy elevator is not even close.

Has anyone else seen this in the kit?? It seems liek one elevator was just not built straight. I don't have any idea what to do to fix this (besides call Fliton for new elevators and figuring out how to remove the hinge pins!!)

Thanks for any help.

Please explain how you are connecting them so we can get a clear picture (or include a pic)???

I am at work now but will try to get some pics up tomorrow. However the installation is nothing unusual. First off I used the CA hinges in the pre-cut slots. When I matched the leading edge of the elevators to horizontal stab I noticed the droop in the trailing edge of the left elevator. (The elevators are counter balanced so they line up with the outside of the horizontal stab). While there is no noticible "Bend" in the left elevator, its almost like it's not built straight. I thought that the hingle lines were messed up (even though they look staight) so I cut the CA hinges and replaced them with Hinge Points (which I KNOW are centered). Same problem! Its hard to explain but let me try.

If I make the elevators level with the stab, The right elevator (when viewed from the side) is a 0 degrees from front to back (like you would expect). However, the left elevator is 0 degress at it leading edge but slants down as you look at the trailing edge. Not bent , its just slanted. The slant is somewhere between 5 and 10 degrees. Like its deflected down (but its not!)

If I set both elevators to 0 degrees at the leading edge (even with the stab) and then measure the height of the elevator trailing edges, the left elevator is 1/2 inch lower than the right.

Thats the best that I can explain it without pics.

Sounds like a defect. I would not install it, just get a new one...

I am curious to know how you are going to set the elevators up (once your problem is cleared). I have not decided on anything myself...

hi,
yes that is correct,the only way to get around this is to open the slots up for the hinges,so they are loose,then tape the elevators to the stab at the counter balance so the tips are flush and look ok,then use a heat gun to move the elevator or elevators back so they don`t` look DROOPY on one side.then apply glue to the hinges,not a great way of doing it.AND I BET THE ELEVATOR WITH THE CONTROL HORN ON MOVES FURTHER THAN THE OTHER!!!,MINE DOES!!!,but the model flys great and this does not hamper the flight perfomance!!great model but with a few issues!!

regards
steve

You're right. I just wish you were not. Trying to get parts from Fliton is not always easy.

While I think the wooden dowel method may work there is no way that I would trust it. I am going to use two elevator servos. I am going to use the two side servo cutouts for those servos. I am going to mount a servo on the bottom of the fuse for a Pull-Pull Rudder. Since Im going to use a Saito 82 up front I think the extra tail weight won't hurt much.

Time to call Edson. Wish me luck!

Did you try to use a heat gun to bring them back inline? I am a little concerned about that since the covering on this model is a little sensitive to heat. I have a hanger full of Fliton Models but this one seems to use a different covering. I don't like this covering.

I am going to use two elevator servos to eliminate the asymetrical movement problem. I hope!

So am I to understand your Inspire has the same elevator characteristic? Did you fly it that way?

Thanks!

If I had to guess, I would say that they are warped. The elevator halves on my Fliton Extra were warped (still are a little bit I think). So were the ailerons and the rudder. MinnFlyer gave me a tip: bend the surface in the opposite direction of the warp/twist, hit it with a heat gun, and see if that straightens it. You may have to go back and forth, and do this several times, but it will straighten out.

If the one surface moves further than the other you have something off in your linkages.

You don't need to unattach the surface to straighten it. See my previous post in this thread.

hi guys,
the reason one surface moves for than the other is down to the wood not being strong enough to handle the the emuff from the servo,also when using the down to align two elevator halfs is never a good idea,BUT, THE MODEL DOES FLY GREAT AND I HAVE WRUNG IT OUT AND IT ALL STAYS TOGETHER,AND EVEN IN THE HARRIER THE MODEL COMES DOWN DEAD STRAIGHT AND DOES NOT FALL EITHER WAY WHICH IT SHOULD,DUE TO ONE SURFACE MOVING MORE THAN THE OTHER!!.SO YES EVERY ONE IS CORRECT IN WHAT THEY ARE SAYING!!.but if i where to have another one out the box i would change and have two servos on the elevator and place the rudder in a alternative postion.GO ENJOY AND DECIDE FOR YOURSELF!!.THE PROOF IS IN THE FLYING AND NOT MOANING!!! LOL.

REGARDS
STEVE

I know exactly what you are talking about, but I don't think adding another 2 ounces i the form of a servo is worth it. I just use the supplied joiner, and then another carbon fiber joiner about 1/2" back. I did that on the mini and it is solid. I plan to do the same with the 60.

I just completed the build on mine and it was straight as an arrow. There is a build thread a little furter down in the forum. It must be a defective elevator half. The dowel system works perfectly and there are no issues with it. It is plenty strong and rigid as designed. You can add a stiffner if you want to but its definitely not necessary. I have done some full throttle walls without a hint of a snap due to elevator flex.

I would contact Fliton and get another elevator/ or set of elevators. If its not built correctly I am assuming that they will probably ask you to send them back and they will send you another set.