Jon,
A rudder tab can be made out of any thin sheet metal. Normally I don't use
tabs on a rudder but .016 aluminum or a left over piece of stainless can be
used.
It is important to know what you want to stick it on with for sure.
Depending on your paint, you will be best served gluing a tab on with epoxy,
although I have seen it done with contact cement. Seems like whatever
sticks fast ruins the paint.
As for the size, the shorter in length and width, the farther the tab must
be bent and drag will occur. A minimum size to consider is 6-8 inches by
1.0 inch which should only normally be bent about 1/4 inch.
To find out how much is needed take a 1/4 x 10 inch wood pencil and some
tape and attach it to the rudder like a ramp. (See attached drawing.)
I normally prefer to use the rudder cable adjuster to adjust the rudder
trim. That is, if the plane needs a touch of left rudder at cruise, I
shorten the left cable a bit to bias the rudder over and fly feet on the
floor. Of course fixed trim tabs are good at only one power setting and
speed for the most part. If it is more than that, look at my trimming
techniques page on my website. If the plane isn't square, fix it. I know
its painful, but so is holding the flight controls on a cross country.
My wife won't let me put in an autopilot because she never saw me need to do
anything but nudge the stick once in a while. "It flies itself, so is an
autopilot necessary." I need to fly her on a rough day so I can get my new
transponder and an autopilot.
Best Regards,
Bud Yerly
customflightcreations.com
-----Original Message-----
From: italianjon
Sent: Sunday, October 18, 2015 2:46 PM
Subject: Europa-List: Rudder Trim Tab
Hi All,
Is there a specific part for a Rudder Trim Tab. Just the mechanical ground
adjustable by bending ones? I can't find anything in the manuals, and I need
to replace mine. Or is it just a piece of square steel sheet, painted.
I am also guessing that it should be "epoxy-ed" in place. I have '5-minute
Epoxy' or should I use the longer cure stuff?
Regards
Jon
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