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Old 12-06-2009 | 08:32 PM
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H5487
 
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From: Houston, TX
Default Are there elevator pull-pull systems?

I see a lot of pull-pull set-ups for rudders but not for elevators? Is it due to the potential for flutter? I'm under the impression that pull-pull systems are tight and slop=free.

Many full sized aircraft (i.e. Cessna, Piper, etc) use pull-pull on the rudder because it's simple and light weight but use an aluminum tube pushrod on the elevator for safety. If a rudder cable breaks, you might have a wild ride during the landing flare but you'll likely survive. However, if an elevator cable were to snap, a controlled descent would be difficult, if not impossible. (Yes, I've read about how to use the trim tab to create resistance against the remaining cable but simulator tests have shown that the airplane will be totally out of control by the time the pilot figures out which cable has snapped and which way to trim.)

Harvey