Started Pitts aileron layout

4/30/2011

I started working on the layout for the Raven ailerons. There are several things that need to be worked out and decided before I start drilling holes for hardware and building the ailerons. Tonight, I started on the hinge placement. I'm planning on moving the slave strut behind the I strut, so I started with the center hinge. There is quite a bit going on there with the bellcrank, drag wire, hinge, slave strut horn and aileron horn. I replaced the old bellcranks with new Raven Aircraft parts that will clear the brace wire.

The tip hinge is easy. Since I'm going to box in the wing tip, there is really only one place for it to go. I'm still thinking about the inboard hinge location a bit. It will sit close to one of the drag wire support blocks. I'm not sure yet how much clearance I will give there. The outboard end of the ailerons will be boxed like the main ribs, but I'm not sure how I want to finish the inboard ends yet. I'm leaning towards boxing them as well, but that is up in the air for the moment.

The Raven kit and hardware are top notch. It makes it much easier to figure this stuff out when you're starting with nice consistent parts.

Here's a shot of the lower right wing with the aileron ribs and spar clamped up to the hinge hardware. Nothing is installed, drilled or glued yet.


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