Aileron "tuning" or "trimming"

I have a PW-5 that requires side pressure on the stick at all times to correct a tendency to bank to the right.


I have exactly the same problem in my PW-5. Also to the right. Our mechanic looked over the ailerons and couldn't see anything wrong with their alignment or any looseness.

My PW-5 has about 300 hours TT.

Obviously I'm interested in how you finally solve this one.

I'd look for anything causing drag on the right wing, could be loose aileron gap tape where the leading edge is forced up under air loads or poorly seated spoiler on the right wing. As noted, right turn has nothing to do with zero ailerons or stick position. If unable to find the cause, a small aluminum trim tab (bent up) placed on the trailing edge of the right aileron will make the aileron fly slightly down and counteract the right turning tendency...........but this remedy will add some drag!
Hope this helps,
JJ

On Monday, May 28, 2018 at 6:25:23 AM UTC-7, wrote:
I'd look for anything causing drag on the right wing, could be loose aileron gap tape where the leading edge is forced up under air loads or poorly seated spoiler on the right wing. As noted, right turn has nothing to do with zero ailerons or stick position. If unable to find the cause, a small aluminum trim tab (bent up) placed on the trailing edge of the right aileron will make the aileron fly slightly down and counteract the right turning tendency...........but this remedy will add some drag!
Hope this helps,
JJ

I think JJ's answer is most likely to be correct. I had this symptom on my ASW20 and everything looked fine until I did winter maintenance to polish the wings and replace gap tape. I discovered one lower gap tape had come partially unglued and lifted a little in flight, acting like a little flap. Replacing the tape with fresh cured the problem.

Mike

JJ
What size trim tab would be good for a slight turn?
What proportions that stick out in the wind is your wild ass guess?
Nick

The tabs I have seen were about 100mm long, and them bent to the correct amount.
Pretty simple.

Trim tab size is the smallest that'll do the job, I'd say 6 or 8 inches long by a couple of inches wide, bent up in the middle about 15 degrees.......then fly and see if that does the job. Glue it to the aileron with Shoe-Glue.........great stuff.
JJ

In Pik20, the plastic tube that leads the wheel brake cable, comes to the stik fron one side.
Sometime it actualy push the stik aside and cause a slight roll.