Piper J3
Well Known Member
I have a Van’s RV-12 that I purchased that has a heavy wing. The RV-12 has the fuel tank mounted in the fuselage offset to the copilot’s side. In addition to the fuel tank being right of centerline I also fly with and without a passenger.
The original builder added a crude sheet metal trim tab mounted under the left flaperon at the wing tip. See top of drawing below... The current sheet metal tab is 1.5” x 12”L and is bent at 45 degrees. In my opinion it is not very efficient because it severely interrupts flow at trailing edge of the control surface. It does however work fairly well.
I want to install a proper servo-driven trim tab with piano hinge so I can compensate for various loading scenarios. See bottom of drawing below… The new inset trim tab will be same dimensions – 1.5” x 12”L.
My question is… will the new trim tab provide same counterforce as current sheet metal tab but with less trim tab deflection?
Aircraft cruising speed is 115 knots.
I’m looking for an educated opinion before I start cutting metal.
Thanks in advance…
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The original builder added a crude sheet metal trim tab mounted under the left flaperon at the wing tip. See top of drawing below... The current sheet metal tab is 1.5” x 12”L and is bent at 45 degrees. In my opinion it is not very efficient because it severely interrupts flow at trailing edge of the control surface. It does however work fairly well.
I want to install a proper servo-driven trim tab with piano hinge so I can compensate for various loading scenarios. See bottom of drawing below… The new inset trim tab will be same dimensions – 1.5” x 12”L.
My question is… will the new trim tab provide same counterforce as current sheet metal tab but with less trim tab deflection?
Aircraft cruising speed is 115 knots.
I’m looking for an educated opinion before I start cutting metal.
Thanks in advance…
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