Hey guys.

I am getting really close to getting my first plane down (Sig Kadet Senorita.) I am at the part in the plans were you size out you control rods and test them. In testing my first control rod the control surface would move in a very limited motion. Is this because the the surfaces are not glued down yet?

It may be, but only if the hinge pulls out when the rod moves. Try moving the rod out on the servo arm, or in the control surface control arm. Glue the surfaces in first, and then try testing them again though.

If you haven't covered the plane yet you might not want to glue the surfaces yet. It sounds like you don't have enough throw or a rod binding. Make sure the rods are running straight to the control surface. If a rod is not binding, them move the clevis in on the conrol horn or out on the servo, or if you have a computer radio you can adjust your endpoint to give you a longer throw.

Are they wood/metal pushrods, or the plastic tubing type?

Dan

The senorita is nice plane , it has just elevator and rudder controls , I assume that the kit came with either fiber or wood dowels for control rods?

sounds like your pots are set to low ,try turning them up a little and see if the surfaces will move farther , also be sure and center the servos before connecting the rods , with the control surfaces centered you should get quite a lot of movement , from them , then you can adjust them to recommended deflection ,

Highlander

The kit came with wood push-rods but I bought Du-bro flexible pushrods. They seem to be easier to work with. I miss worded when I refered to the control surfaces I ment the whole section (rudder, and elevator.)
Exploring the possibilities last night I changed one of my servo heads from the standered to the five point star. I was using my Radio with another plane so I have to wait for it to charge before I can test the new head.

Dan,

With the flexable push rods , you will have to be certian that they are secure along the lenght of them to limit the flex, if they over flex your surfaces will not move like they should , if you have not yet covered the airframe this can be done by either useing standoff blocks or secureing them to the formers , I like the blocks , drill holes that fit the outer tube and secure the blocks along the tube usually about three points is enough , and then epoxy the tube where it goes thru the blocks ,this will limit the amout of flex that is inherent in these flexable push rods ,

Let us know how things turn out ,

Highlander

If you use the flex tube type be careful they can become brittle over time and break. They also shrink in the cold and expand in the heat I do not use them any more except maybe on throttle.