Rudder trim tab

[Mark Moyle]

I'd say "true" that, but it looks like mainly for cruise flight. I wonder if anyone has set or flown zero-angle on the vertical stab and noticed a difference where it's probably most helpful, like high angles of attack on take off and such?

Dan Shilling up in Alaska has a left-turning engine on his plane. I wonder if he went the other direction (or zero).

He off set 3/4" opposite to the right.

[Chris In Milwaukee]

I wondered. Thanks for the confirmation.

[Mark Goldberg]

This is what I did on my 4 place many moons ago. Mark

[Erbman]

I made provisions on the rudder of #164 for a fixed trim tab. I first flew without it, but the ball wasn't quite centered. I installed the tab and gave it a very slight bend (I don't remember which way). Later I straightened the tab out some to where it is virtually unbent (flat) now. Ball hangs out right in the center during cruise, so I'm not going to mess with it.

I'm not sure why others have such aggressive angles on their tabs.

[Flygirl1]

Erbman, is your tab on the right side or left side? D.

[Flygirl1]

OK, I'm getting ready to make my trim tab for the rudder and I have a question. I noticed all of you who posted photo's have put your tab on the left side, bending to the right. I get that, but why the left side and not the right side? Am I missing something or was it your preference? I'm thinking if I put it on the right side I wouldn't need to bend it so far. D.

[BTAZ]

On my LSA, I put it on the right side. I made it somewhat "T" shaped( installed on its side like this "I-") and used a front and rear pop rivet into the rib plus VHB tape to put it on. I did not want to drill a hole into the trailing edge tube.

It didn't take much of a bend

[Mark Moyle]

Piper Cubs, Pacers, Tripacers.....no tab is added....Piper says bend the leading edge of the rudder. Need to hold right rudder? Bend the leading edge to the left. I've installed Steve's Aircraft rudder trim on my Pacer rebuild... I'll leave it disconnected until I'm satisfied with rigging. On my Bearhawk I'm using the Aerotrim

[Bcone1381]

Mark, when you say Piper says to bend the leading edge of the rudder, do you mean they bend the aerodynamic counterbalance area thats in front of the rudder hinge line?

[Ed.Meyer]

I put the tab on the left side bent to the right. My thinking was that the air flow would be smoother on the left side therefore more effective. I figured if put it on the right the left side airflow would detach. Don't know if my theory is corrrect.

[Mark Moyle]

Mark, when you say Piper says to bend the leading edge of the rudder, do you mean they bend the aerodynamic counterbalance area thats in front of the rudder hinge line?

Yes. I'll see if I can find the rigging manual and post it.

[Mark Moyle]

I got a PM yesterday about how I move the vertical stabilizer to center the ball with your feet flat on the floor. Here is the way I do it. Right hand on the leading edge of the fin, left hand on the tailpost and push the correct direction.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]4359[/ATTACH]

[Mark Moyle]

Found it... item number 5

http://www.univair.com/content/PIP_SM021.pdf

[Steve W]

The easiest thing would have been to put two simple words on the plans that said "bottom only" in regards to the fin offset. If it's there anywhere in the plans, then I missed it completely. I hate having to put a tab on a control.

[Flygirl1]

Since we had quick build kits, we work with what we get, and since I do not like to "bend" things that already look good on my plane, trim tab it is. (-: Put it on, flew it this morning and waa laa, works fantastic first try, no bending at all. Once painted, will be hardly noticeable, I hope. Thank goodness too! All the way too OSH from Oregon with out it would have been a real pain!! See you all Friday🌞

[Mark Moyle]

Sure is purdy....my thinking on the bend thing. Piper put out that instruction 60 years ago. The amount of bend is minimal when compared the surface area of the little trim tab and the surface area of the rudder ahead of the tail post. I wonder how many brand new carbon Cubs or freshly restored supercubs come out of the factory or shop sporting screws into tubes?