To my mind the most important thing about positioning the aileron
brackets in the module is to insure they line up correctly with the
mating bellcranks on each wing. Before doing anything else mount both
wings onto the module as per the manual and check positions of the
bellcranks. Remember the pivot centres of the mating bellcranks [wing to
module] must be the same otherwise the mating faces will rub during
operation. You can adjust the position of the brackets on the module,
you can't alter them on the wing . Good luck Richard
----- Original Message -----
From: gregoryf.flyboy@comcast.net
To: europa-list@matronics.com
Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2007 9:25 PM
Subject: Europa-List: mounting quick-connect bellcrank brackets into
cockpit module and Europaprecision
Since this is a hot topic right now, here is my input for the
Europaprecision thread (my view only):
Although there are areas for improvement, I will never expect
everything in a kit as complex as this, to line up perfectly. Without
getting into company names, I have heard builders from other well known
composite aircraft manufacturers cuss profusely about the way some of
their kit components lined up. Even some items (like doors), that were
supposedly pre-molded to fit (and finished, direct from the factory),
had to be completely overhauled over many time-consuming hours before
they did. I think that just goes with the territory for our (stronger
than aluminum) 'plastic' airplanes. Again, just my 2 cents.
That being said, here is my current problem :
I may have a clearance issue, with the top of the bellcrank bracket
encroaching up to a quarter-inch into the sidewall of the fuselage.
When mounting the bellcrank brackets to the back of the cockpit
module, the manual states:
"Set CS14 to be vertical relative to the cockpit module; an eyeball
assessment will be sufficient in this
case. Ensure the spars are clear of the brackets."
Then (again, following the lead in the manual), I tightened a
one-quarter inch rod onto the bellcrank bracket with two nuts on either
side. The end of the rod went well into the wing spar (where I left it),
effectively lining up the bellcrank position. This still allows the
bracket to spin in a circle. I picked a vertical position for both, and
bonded them in, then later bonded the bolts into the bracket holes (and
the 3mm plywood), to hold the bellcrank. Too late now, to redo the
quarter inch rod technique.
Upon later inspection, it seems that the outer topmost (with respect
to the aircraft) quarter inch or so, of the bracket, exceeds the
fuselage shell (using the cp module fuselage-connecting flanges as the
reference point). Now granted, it was a straight line look, and the
fuselage is curved. Even so- it seems to me, that it will butt up
against the fuselage, and probably bend inboard slightly, affecting the
aileron to cockpit bellcrank mating, by putting more distance between
the two.
I have not placed the module into the fuselage to check it yet,
because the fuselage top currently rests on the bottom part, and have
not had a chance to remove the two. Even so, I think it would be hard to
see what's going on down there, upon placing the module into it, since
the mechanism is pretty well hidden under the seat back.
It could be a non-issue, if the hole cut in the side of the fuselage
to accept the wing spar (wing root area, and molding), is big enough to
encompass the top of the bracket.
Has anyone run into this or had to correct for it, or any ideas?
Thanks in advance,
Greg Fuchs
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12/29/2007 13:27
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