TruTrac Pilots

[Bill James]

You TruTrac Pilots out there-
For the roll and pitch servos, which of the three holes in the servo arm do you use? Many other questions but i will start with that.
Thanks
Bill James

[go ez]

Hi Bill. Since you have had no replies ref TT, I thought I'd say that on my Trio Ez Pilot servo I started off by using the hole on the servo arm that had the same radius as that of the  link rod connection to the belcrank ie a 1:1 ratio of movement. That seemed logical and actually worked out well without any further adjustment.

Regards
Steve

[saybeengineering]

Used the first hole on my Trio EZ-pilot ......as per reference.

[Bill James]

Thanks guys. Last month i couldn't even spell autopilot installer; now I are one   
I am trying to put something about the installation together for Terry Schubert in the next CSA newsletter. But there isn't much left after i cut out the silly stuff that i did that everyone else is already too smart to do anyway.
I appreciate your help. Actually the install has been appropriately educational, interesting and enjoyable.
Bill

[saybeengineering]

Wait till you go flying!!!!!!!! It is awesome. You will appreciate your virtual co-pilot!!!!

Regards,
Afif
Long EZ, HR-ATQ

[LongEZDaveA]

Afif,

I agree that Bill will appreciate his virtual co-pilot.  I flew for many years without an autopilot and now I really appreciate mine.

Did you check the balance of your elevators WITH the new autopilot hardware installed?  I have a very small concern that you may have introduced a potential for flutter with the mass that was added aft of the elevator hinge line.

Most pitch servo installations that I'm aware of are added to the pushrod between the stick and the NC-12As.  The added mass in these installations is added near or ahead of the elevator hinge line where it attaches to the NC-12As.

Since the mass added in your installation is near the center of the canard and not out near the tips, the affect on flutter margin will likely be very small.  I just wanted to point it out and mention that it would be a good idea to check the elevator balance again with the servo attach hardware included.  It would also be a good idea to do your flutter testing again.

[saybeengineering]

Hi Dave... That particular picture was given to me by Jerry Jansen on TRIO AVIONICS of his installation on his Long EZ....Maybe he can give us better perspective of your observation.
I do agree that given the location,  the amount of possible flutter might be minimal, unless you are going Mach 1+!!!!!! Nevertheless,  I'm planning to add the altitude hold servo to my bird and most likely I will be using this configuration.

Best Regards,
Afif Saybe
LONG EZ , HR-ATQ

[Jerry Hansen]

All of the Trio guys have mounted their pitch servos in that same position.  I have flown mine beyond 215 mph indicated, with the servo engaged and with it not engaged.  None of us have ever experienced even a small buzz, much less a flutter onset, in over 5 years of such flying. 

If you have any information or concerns to the contrary, please let us know.

Jerry - Trio

[saybeengineering]

Thanks Jerry. I do feel the same way with respect to this concern......Like I said, unless you are flying at an abnormal high speed, the "experimental" position of the servo, works fine.

Regards,
Afif Saybe
Long EZ, HR-ATQ