Hinge Gap Question
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Hinge Gap Question
Ok some of you may have read my thread “Newbie Question”. In there I discussed how to increase the throw of the rudder, and ailerons. Well last night while cleaning my plane I noticed something. The hinge gaps for the ailerons are significantly larger than those on my elevator (which has really good authority).
Before I modify the travel for the ailerons I wanted to test sealing the hinge gap. I have read here before that scotch tape is good for this, but I don’t think that it would be a good long term solution. I have also read that you can use thin strips of monokote, but this was done as the wing was being covered. Since my plane is an ARF, I can’t use this approach without pulling the covering off.
So my question to all of you, what do you use to seal your hinge gaps on ARF planes?
Before I modify the travel for the ailerons I wanted to test sealing the hinge gap. I have read here before that scotch tape is good for this, but I don’t think that it would be a good long term solution. I have also read that you can use thin strips of monokote, but this was done as the wing was being covered. Since my plane is an ARF, I can’t use this approach without pulling the covering off.
So my question to all of you, what do you use to seal your hinge gaps on ARF planes?
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RE: Hinge Gap Question
ORIGINAL: felixone
I have also read that you can use thin strips of monokote, but this was done as the wing was being covered. Since my plane is an ARF, I can’t use this approach without pulling the covering off.
I have also read that you can use thin strips of monokote, but this was done as the wing was being covered. Since my plane is an ARF, I can’t use this approach without pulling the covering off.
Huh?
Of course you can... you iron the strip onto the existing covering....
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RE: Hinge Gap Question
Strips of monokote will work fine. Just be careful when heating with the iron, and use as low a heat setting as you can to activate the glue. Many ARFs are covered with much lower heat coverings, and the heat required for monokote can cause problems.
Brad
Brad
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RE: Hinge Gap Question
You don't have to worry about gap too much on a trainer aircraft. Gap becomes an issue on faster type aircraft where the airflow through the gap creates flutter that can destroy an airframe in seconds. If you have had your aircraft at max speed, then the gap isn't an issue.
However if you're wanting to seal the gap for cosmetic reasons the above explations are on the money.
Be careful you get the edges sealed down well, a gap seal coming loose could cause enough drag on one wing to sprial you in or bind a control surface.
If it aint broke don't fix it
Good Luck
However if you're wanting to seal the gap for cosmetic reasons the above explations are on the money.
Be careful you get the edges sealed down well, a gap seal coming loose could cause enough drag on one wing to sprial you in or bind a control surface.
If it aint broke don't fix it
Good Luck
#7
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RE: Hinge Gap Question
In this case, sealing the gap is the proper thing to do.
He said
So obviously he's looking to increase aileron authority
Then he said
So there's a great clue that he has large gaps on the ailerons
Yup, that's the proper first thing to do under the circumstances.
He said
ORIGINAL: felixone
Ok some of you may have read my thread “Newbie Question”. In there I discussed how to increase the throw of the rudder, and ailerons.
Ok some of you may have read my thread “Newbie Question”. In there I discussed how to increase the throw of the rudder, and ailerons.
Then he said
ORIGINAL: felixone
The hinge gaps for the ailerons are significantly larger than those on my elevator (which has really good authority).
The hinge gaps for the ailerons are significantly larger than those on my elevator (which has really good authority).
ORIGINAL: felixone
Before I modify the travel for the ailerons I wanted to test sealing the hinge gap.
Before I modify the travel for the ailerons I wanted to test sealing the hinge gap.
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RE: Hinge Gap Question
Thanks everyone for the help. I will be trying the tape test tomorrow weather permitting. Hopefully it will help. There is definitely a big difference with the aileron hinge gaps. They are large enough to slide a credit card through. The elevator on the other hand I can barely get a piece of paper between. As far as the temp goes, I will be careful...The plane is supposedly covered with Monokote though (Avistar) so hopefully I don't mess anything. If the tape trick works I guess I will finally have the excuse I need to get the sealing iron and heat gun I have needed to get.
Thanks again for the help everyone!
Thanks again for the help everyone!
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RE: Hinge Gap Question
ORIGINAL: felixone
If the tape trick works I guess I will finally have the excuse I need to get the sealing iron and heat gun I have needed to get.
If the tape trick works I guess I will finally have the excuse I need to get the sealing iron and heat gun I have needed to get.