Was just wondering...how much force is there on the "hinge-line" of a control surface?
For example: stab-elevator hinges...assuming perfect, tight, no gap construction between
the two with the hinges properly secure, does the size and thickness of the hinge itself matter?
In other words could you use 5 smaller thinner hinges verses 3 larger thicker hinges?

Nobody knows... But a good test is to pick your plane up by the elev and if it does not fall off... your good to go..

Eddie Weeks

Wocketman once wrote "I pull on the control surface with all my might, if it stays, it's good, if it fails, it's not." Or something like that.

Wocketman's pretty much a wus who can break his hand while trying to exit a bathroom but I have to admit, I just hinged one of my jets the other night, and I found myself pulling on that fricken thing with everything I had [:@] Thankfully, nothing gave way

I don't know the exact answer to you question ....... but I have over the years tried to pull different types of hinges apart (prior to their installation) to see how strong they are. You will be surprised how very strong they are. I (personally) have actually never seen an instance where a hinge has failed. All the hinge problems I know of were from poor/improper installation ...... where one side of the hinge removed itself from whatever it was attached to. Bob

Yes, more smaller hinges are just as good as a few bigger hinges. The trick is to know how to get the ratio right and that means accurately estimating loads (not JUST hinge line torque). Harder than it sounds.

I'm afraid of the bathroom now Sean!

The hinge problems I have seen usually involved the material the hinge was attached to....either not enough or too soft. The hinge itself does not fail but comes out with balsa still attached. I have never had this problem with a jet but I always make sure there is plently of hard/firm material for the hinge to attach to. I personally like the large Du-Bro hinges but BVM's carbon fiber and wire rod method is solid and sure make it nice to be able to remove the surface.

Craig