Rudder cable protection ideas for cabin

[N204jh]

I still struggle to understand why the rudder cables are routed above the floorboards, but oh well. I'm concerned about my backcountry and ranch use of hauling stuff in the large Bearhawk 5 cargo area that something will jam into the rudder cables, or heaven forbid, during turbulence that something falls on the open rudder cables.

Has anyone put the rudder cables into pex tubing or something to protect the open rudder cables in the cabin? Anyone decide to route them under the floorboards?

Thanks, John

[Richard E]

We protected them in the box section plastic tubing that electricians use. That way you can easily pop the lid off access them for inspection.

[N204jh]

We protected them in the box section plastic tubing that electricians use. That way you can easily pop the lid off access them for inspection.

Richard, would you have a picture or a builder's log that I could look at what you did? What drove you to cover them when the vast majority do not cover them?

[Battson]

It's a complete non-issue, I wouldn't give it another thought, honestly. I remember extensive discussion on this when building, but in hindsight, it was a waste of time and resources.

I just pile stuff all over the cables, as long as it's not a device designed to latch onto a bare cable, or a pile of bricks etc. there is no problem. They just slide under the cargo quite happily.

Naturally, I would avoid having any joins or turnbuckles in the cabin, mind you.

The main source of interference is actually the front seat passenger, they tend to kick the cables from time to time, which caused a minor feedback in the pedals - disconcerting the first time - that's literally the only issue I've had in around 13 years of operation, including regularly filling the baggage area with all kinds of stuff.

[svyolo]

I only have 65 hours on my B model. I am going to go with experience over theory on this one, even though a couple years ago I thought rudder cables needed protection. If I ever did anything, it would probably be just PEX tubing.

[Utah-Jay]

You can see what I did in my “build log”, it was pretty early on. I used clear tubing and it protects the cables from being pinched in the cargo area

My build log is “Kit #7 Arrived” and is located in the Companion Kit/QB section of the forum

[N204jh]

You can see what I did in my “build log”, it was pretty early on. I used clear tubing and it protects the cables from being pinched in the cargo area

My build log is “Kit #7 Arrived” and is located in the Companion Kit/QB section of the forum

Thanks, Jay!

[Richard E]

Richard, would you have a picture or a builder's log that I could look at what you did? What drove you to cover them when the vast majority do not cover them?

As Battson says, protecting the cables is probably unecessary, but I would hate to think of them trapped. Poor picture I know but you can see the ducts on either side. 20200825_090150506_iOS.jpg

[N204jh]

Thanks, Richard! I think I'll use the clear tubing that Jay did.

[N204jh]

You can see what I did in my “build log”, it was pretty early on. I used clear tubing and it protects the cables from being pinched in the cargo area

My build log is “Kit #7 Arrived” and is located in the Companion Kit/QB section of the forum

Jay, looked at your build log. I like it a lot and will be copying it! Looks like you, Richard and I will be some of the very few to protect our rudder cables.

[noema]

I made a composite cover towards the left side of the cargo compartment with the idea to strap cargo towards that side. Bags may still touch the rudder cable on the right but wouldn't lay down significant weight.

cargo.jpg

[Nev]

Pretty impressive carbon fiber work going on there !

[noema]

Thx Nev. The side panel is a simple layup on top of a cardboard/tape temporary structure. Nothing too fancy.

[Utah-Jay]

Jay, looked at your build log. I like it a lot and will be copying it! Looks like you, Richard and I will be some of the very few to protect our rudder cables.

John, I absolutely did not like any potential pinching of the rudder cables. I think you will have great peace of mind

[Nev]

Battson's experience is similar to my own - it's a non issue. If you want to worry about cables, worry instead about the aileron cables. So many times I've had to ask the front seat pax to move their feet forward to free up the aileron controls. If they place their feet back toward the seat, they sit right on top of the cable and partially block movement of the control stick. That said, I wouldn't worry about that too much either.

[alaskabearhawk]

Ditto what Nev and Battson said. I thought about it when I was building, but I came to the conclusion it would be an easy addition later, if needed. So far it has been a non-issue.

[Gerhard Rieger]

Hi, I made covers for for the rudder cables from where the rear seat passengers feet are all the way to the back of the cargo area 5EC54B03-D184-4D16-8852-B134FEE3287C.jpg E804513C-0C95-411D-9FB7-F235F5065BFB.jpg 1D7A5EBE-44FD-4E51-B279-AE183D7DD215.png 737B869A-2801-4DC6-A70A-CEFE5C3A58E7.png

[Bcone1381]

I have a Patrol. I echo what Nev, Battson, and Alaska said. But I think I have high risk of damaging my right rudder cable (which is just inside my cargo door) when I put gear into my baggage area. So I bent up and installed a small 90 deg aluminum angle the width of the door that is about 3/4 high. Its weight is negligible and it protects the cable.

[N204jh]

Thanks everyone! It seems like the plastic clear tubing is a low cost, light no-brainer. I hadn't thought about the co-pilot passenger and the aileron cables. Hmm. Need to think that through.

Of course, after a year or so, when I'm a veteran, I can always remove the plastic tubing.