I am putting the finishing touches on my FEJ F-16 and have play or "slop" in the elevators. There is @ 1/8" or so vertical and horizontal play in the surface. The linkages appear to be tight and the play doesn't look to be coming from there. It appears that it is coming from the bushing through the fuselage that the spar in the elevator passes through.

My questions are is this normal?

If no, what so you all have for suggestions to get rid of it?

Thanks

Anybody have input on this?

It's probably similar to the SM F16 which has some slop. This is a large surface so the least amount will be amplified. But it doesn't seem to bother the flying characteristics at all. Mine is rock solid in flight though I'm only flying with the P60. Others have said the same with the SM F16.

mine has no up/down play, but has a tad of horizontal rock fore and aft play. maybe 1/16 inch. i did get some mylar washers and use 2 of them on the outside of the fuse on the pivot shaft to prevent binding at 50 mm throw between the leading edge of the stab and the fuse. also used 1 each on the inside to take up some slop in and out on the shaft after installing the control horns. got em at westlake(ace hardware) and they are just under 1 mm thick. if the 4 bolts in each horn mount are not TIGHT, you will have some play there.

forgot to add:

i substituted ball links for the supplied clevis so that each end of the elevator pushrod has ball links. this may have also removed some play.

Have a Tamjets, same 1/8 slop, no problem! I used to have like .5 but I did some adjustments and reduced it to 1/8.

I have the same slop on my other JL F-16. No problem. The full flying surface is actually less sensitive to pitch change than the conventional elevator.

Mike

Thanks for the responses guys. I was really worried about the elevators fluttering, but after reading your responses it seems that with a full flying stab, flutter should not be as much of an issue or concern compared to a conventional setup with the same amount of play.