Elevator trim

A forum in which to discuss topics specific to the assembly of the RV 7/7A.
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Jeffrey T
Class G
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Sep 15, 2010 7:13 pm

Elevator trim

Post by Jeffrey T »

Hi to All!

I'm a long-time lurker who is about to send in my empenage order for a 7A. I'm wondering about electric vs manual elevator trim. I would say my goal is to build a fairly simple aircraft and minimize construction time. I doubt much IFR is in my future, though I've got the rating. (alas not current) Is it easier buildwise to go electric rather than manual? My flight experience has mostly been in Pipers - Archer and Cherokee Six and they had manual trim - which didn't seem hard to use at all. I'm leaning towards manual, unless the build time and hassle is greater to route and adjust the cable compared to a wire.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Jeffrey T

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cjensen
Whiskey Victor
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Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:36 pm
Location: Green Bay, WI

Post by cjensen »

Hard to say...most of us have only built (or are building) one airplane, so determining which is easier may be difficult. I went all manual...all trims and flaps are manual in my 7...wouldn't have done it the other way. Electrons escape, and makes things that use them useless. :wink:
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
Vertical Power support
920.216.3699
http://verticalpower.com

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cjensen
Whiskey Victor
Posts: 5275
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:36 pm
Location: Green Bay, WI

Post by cjensen »

Oh, and :welcome: to Rivetbangers!!
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
Vertical Power support
920.216.3699
http://verticalpower.com

Spike
Chief Rivet Banger
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Post by Spike »

I have flown with electric trim before but find that I like the feel of manual better.
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hydroguy2
Class B
Posts: 1307
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2007 11:13 pm
Location: Townsend, Montana

Post by hydroguy2 »

I went with manual trim. I like simple.....BUT, if you are doing anything noon standard for the placement think hard about cable routing. Putting the throttle and trim on the left side added many...many hours to the build.

Would I go manual trim and left side quadrant again? sure, I'm kinda slow that way. :bang:
Brian
Townsend, MT

Bob Barrett
Class C
Posts: 625
Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2004 8:37 pm
Location: Sartell MN

Post by Bob Barrett »

I went manual on my RV-6A and I wouldn't have it any other way. It is probably easier to install electric trim because all you have to route to the back is electric wire. However, if I were building again I would again put in manual trim. Do not rivet the floor boards in the baggage compartment or the seat bottoms until just before the DAR comes to inspect your RV-7! :bang: :bang: I went electric flaps because they came with the Quickbuild kit and it would have cost extra to put in manual flaps. I fully agree with Chad manual flaps would be the way to go! :)

airguy
Class E
Posts: 125
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 5:41 pm
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Post by airguy »

I've done a lot of flying (non-RV) with both systems, and absolutely LOVE having electric trim on the stick, this was a no-brainer for me. I love being able to trim the airplane rapidly without taking my eyes off the windshield view during dynamic situations (like base-to-final, slowing and dropping flaps).

This is one of those items that appears to have people either love it or hate it, with not much in between. It's highly personal.
Greg Niehues
Midland, TX
RV9A - finishing - 90% done, 90% to go
http://websites.expercraft.com/airguy/
Building a 9A with too much fuel and too much engine - should drop dead any minute now. :roll:

lancef53
Class D
Posts: 376
Joined: Sun May 20, 2007 8:34 pm
Location: Portland, North Dakota

Post by lancef53 »

I love the electric trim, and would do it again. Much easier, and lighter.

Welcome aboard!!
RV 8
First Flight--4-3-2010

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bruceh
Class D
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Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:11 pm
Location: Ramona, CA
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Post by bruceh »

I bought a mostly completed tail kit that had the electric trim (and a bunch of expensive tools) for a total of $500. The electric trim option is worth at least $300, so I came out way ahead on that deal. Ended up junking the tail kit (some parts were not airworthy) and getting a fresh kit. I did spend some time playing around on the old kit with my tools, so that was fun and educational.

I probably would have done the electric trim for the elevator anyway. I went manual for the aileron trim when I ordered the fuselage. Either way will work!

Good luck with your project!
Bruce Hill
RV-9A N5771H flying over 1100 hours!
Build Log at http://www.overthehills.com/RV-9A-Project
Blog at https://flyingoverthehills.wordpress.com/
EAA Tech Counselor, A&P

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smittysrv
Class D
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Post by smittysrv »

I went with the manual trim with my RV-9A. Wrong decision! Installing and running that manual cable was a major pain in the bahooty. On my next RV, I'll get electric trim!

Spike
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Elevator trim

Post by Spike »

So it was wrong from a construction perspective and not an operational perspective?

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-----Original message-----
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Sat, Sep 25, 2010 17:51:22 GMT+00:00
Subject:
Elevator trim



I went with the manual trim with my RV-9A. Wrong decision! Installing and running that manual cable was a major pain in the bahooty. On my next RV, I'll get electric trim!Smittys RV-9A SmittysRV.com Fun Places To Fly Fun Flyers Forum rivetbangers.com - Discussion topic http://www.rivetbangers.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=35070#35070
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