I purchased a Nexstar select and I'm having issues with the aileron control throw. No matter what I do I can't get better than 8mm down and 11mm up. I've twisted the aileron clevis up/down to find the optimal throw down/up and I'm on the outside hole on the horn. One possible solution seems to get a servo wheel and make my own horn. I made one attempt at my own wheel (made a template of the 6 star and created a 4th hole) and the throw seems to be about right. Problem is I'm having issues getting both holes to align properly and I don't know if I'm altering the geometry. It just seems like I'm going through a lot of trouble for an airplane that is designed for beginners to fly out of the box. Does anyone have any advice as to what might be wrong? (Other than my purchase of the Nexstar..)

not sure how your set up on the nexstar but general guidlins:

Try to be as far from the servos to get more moovment
try to be as close to the surface as possible for more moovment

other then that if your servos bindingg on anything? IF the TX is porgramabe or has high/low rates what are you set up as??

To increase the throw of a control surface you put the pushrod in the outside hole of the servo arm. At the control horn on the aileron put the pushrod on the closet hole to the control surface. This geometry should give you more than enough throw. You shouldn't need to make (not to mention the problems with even trying) to make your own servo arms. See included diagram

Turning the clevis in or out is not used to adjust the throw of the control surface. The clevis is used to adjust the center position of your control surface.

Hope this helps

Ken

I've seen two other NextStars with this problem, and the best solution for these was to install dual aileron servos. The wing has the pockets ready to accept standard size servos, and there are pull strings installed at the factory in each wing panel to pull the extensions through. I won't have access to my NextStar until Jan, but can get some detailed pictures of the installation when I get back home (I installed dual servos for functioning flapperons). I also set the differential throw through radio programming.

Hogflyer

I encountered the same problem with my nexstar. its easy if you have a computer radio and adjustable end points (had mine dialled up to 140%), if you have a standard radio the fix is to install the control rod to the outermost hole of the servo arm 4th hole from the center if youre using futaba 6point star and adjust the amount of throw by turning the plastic that thread to the control rod that protrudes from the wing similar to what RCKEN's illustration.

One thing you may want to check. These come RTF... when they glue in the Hinge on the control surfaces, sometimes there is extra CA that cakes up the movement. You should be able to remote the clevis and check to see what the range of motion is on the control surfaces. If it seems like it doesn't want to move much... look closely and see where the binding is. Most likely you will see an over use of CA. Dig out the crust between the surfaces and that should free it up a bit. Make plenty sure you don't tear or damage the hinge itself.

Just a thought, seen it before on another RTF.

Correction to my post. I twisted the aileron horn up/down. And of course everytime I adjusted the aileron horn I adjusted the clevis to center it. Currently I have the Nexstar select rtf which includes the T4YBF so I can't adjust anything electronically.

fayrwerks: I currently have it on the outside arm of the 6-star. If there was a 4th hole I'd have no problem whatsoever. The 3rd/outer hole seems to not give enough throw.

bobby69smith: I initially checked to see if movement was hindered. I wiggled the arm for a bit to try and loosen things up. I will try and see if there is CA stuck somewhere.

I wish I had a programmable radio instead of all these gizmos I'll never use on the Nexstar. I'll continue to see what I can do to fix things mechanically. When measuring the throw should I zero the middle of the aileron or just pick the top/bottom as a reference point. Also, any proper place to do the measuring (end/middle)?

you shouldn't need a huge amount of throw in the NEXTAR aileron as it is it will do basic maneuvers with the throws out of the box if its the RTF version.
if you have the ARF then screw the connector on the torsion rods down about a 1/4" from the top and use a large cross horn with the push rods connected on the outer most hole there should be enough throw for most needs.
something to check is how tight are the torsion rod connections into the aileron is there any slop or play, they are not glued in as I can see just pushed into a hole in the aileron, after just a few flights mine became dangerously loose and floppy and I had to cut the wood back away from the wire and filled the channel in the aileron with 6 min. epoxy, after that they have been solid ever since.

as others suggestions check the hinges for movement and if youre at the outermost hole of the 6-point servo arm then the only fix to to thread the "nylon aileron control horn" (the plastic thing that is attached to the threaded rod that protrudes on the wing) closer to the wing surface that will make it somewhat similar to RCKens illustration and give you more movement. note that the aileron travel for the nexstar is 1/2" up and 3/8" down which should be plenty enough specially after you remove the droops.

fayrwerks....do you happen to know the elevator/rudder recommended throws as well? If so, I would sure appreciate you for informing me. thanks

From the Nexstar manual, [link]http://manuals.hobbico.com/hca/hcaa17-manual.pdf[/link]

Hope this helps

Ken

For the rudder throw, I'd recommend as much as you can get. If you have a computer radio set the low rate on 3/4", and the high rate on as much as you can get. The NextStar is a rudder plane, and can be flown using rudder/elevator with out touching the ailerons.

Hogflyer

High rudder throw yes but keep the steering (nose wheel) amount low. All too many trainers have way too much throw here and end up zig-zagging down the runway due to over-controlling. Remember this is a FLYING machine and not a road race pylon racer.