Ken Miller wrote:

Message text written by "Mike Collier"

I purchased a partially completed Long EZ a while back (Right Wing and
tub).  I just finished my left wing and checked the aileron balance, dead
on.  I then checked the balance on the right wing aileron, not good.  I
still need to try adding the .3 lbs but I don't think that will bring it
in.  Has anyone ran into this before?  Any lessons learned on building a
new one?  Can I just strip/sand the skin off the old one and re-skin or do
I need to start from scratch?  Any one out there have a Right Aileron that
they would part with?  Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks
Mike C.
<

Mike,
        Don't feel lonely.  I have never seen a Long-EZ aileron balance
with the plans counterbalance rod, and I have seen a bunch of them.  Save
yourself a lot of worry and aggravation, and do the following:
        Lay the aileron on a flat work table, and drive a few nails or
screws into the table along the leading and trailing edge of the aileron to
act as a fixture.

        Grit your teeth.  Take a dremel and cut through the BID ply on top
and forward bottom of the counterbalance, and remove the 3/8 steel rod.
Trim and sand any rough edges.  You should be left with the bottom skin
intact to the point that it starts to curve upward around the old rod.

        Go to your local FAA-PMA hardware store and get three 48 inch 7/16
rods.  Return the aileron to your fixture, where you have duct taped the
table below the line where the new rod and the aileron meet.  Lay one 48
inch rod into place, then cut another rod to extend the weight full length.
 Make sure the new rods rest against your nails/screws.  Mix up some thick
micro/flox (flockro) and pour into the gap between  the rod and aileron,
then allow to cure.

        After cure, sand locally the top and bottom of the aileron, and add
one ply BID over the new rods and onto the aileron.

        These are the rods called out in the CoZY IV plans.  Solves all
your balance problems.  Be sure and do BOTH ailerons.

Ken Miller
A&P,  EAA Tech and Flight Advisor
www.long-ez.com
kenEZmiller@compuserve.com

                               "Never argue with an idiot.  Bystanders will
look upon you as equals".......... Mom

 
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