Flap/aileron don't line up -- always a problem?

My Comanche seems to fly straight, no heavy wing (without fuel imbalance)
and make book speeds. With the autopilot on in smooth air, and enough
right rudder trim to center the ball, the left flap and aileron line up.
The right flap and aileron do not. The flap is about 1/2" lower. The
aileron does line up with the wingtip, though having seen the structure of
the tip I wouldn't consider it a calibration point!

Does this automatically mean there's a problem? Or could this just be
a legitimate correction for a difference in washout between the wings?

--
Ben Jackson

http://www.ben.com/

On Mon, 12 Apr 2004 06:11:02 GMT, (Ben Jackson) wrote:

My Comanche seems to fly straight, no heavy wing (without fuel imbalance)
and make book speeds. With the autopilot on in smooth air, and enough
right rudder trim to center the ball, the left flap and aileron line up.
The right flap and aileron do not. The flap is about 1/2" lower. The
aileron does line up with the wingtip, though having seen the structure of
the tip I wouldn't consider it a calibration point!

Does this automatically mean there's a problem? Or could this just be
a legitimate correction for a difference in washout between the wings?

I can't speak for the Comanche, but if this was a Cherokee, I'd say
the flaps need to be rigged.

It could be wear and tear over time that has the right flap lower -
alternatively, a flap can be dropped a bit to compensate for a 'heavy'
wing.

It's worth having it properly rigged. Cherokee owners claimed to get
a few extra mph by having a proper rigging.

-Nathan

My Comanche seems to fly straight, no heavy wing (without fuel imbalance)
and make book speeds. With the autopilot on in smooth air, and enough
right rudder trim to center the ball, the left flap and aileron line up.
The right flap and aileron do not. The flap is about 1/2" lower. The
aileron does line up with the wingtip, though having seen the structure of
the tip I wouldn't consider it a calibration point!

Does this automatically mean there's a problem? Or could this just be
a legitimate correction for a difference in washout between the wings?


People stepping on the flap when getting in the plane ?

Seagram wrote:
My Comanche seems to fly straight, no heavy wing (without fuel imbalance)
and make book speeds. With the autopilot on in smooth air, and enough
right rudder trim to center the ball, the left flap and aileron line up.
The right flap and aileron do not. The flap is about 1/2" lower. The
aileron does line up with the wingtip, though having seen the structure of
the tip I wouldn't consider it a calibration point!

Does this automatically mean there's a problem? Or could this just be
a legitimate correction for a difference in washout between the wings?



People stepping on the flap when getting in the plane ?


If it was a Bonanza, it may be correct. From what I hear when the wings
are put on instead of adjusting the wing they adjust the right flap to
get level flight.
That could be why the ailerons are true with the wingtips and the one
flap is a little off.

Just a thought

Dave

Speaking of Rigging, anyone know of a place that does this in SoCal?

Greg


"Seagram" wrote in message ...
My Comanche seems to fly straight, no heavy wing (without fuel imbalance)
and make book speeds. With the autopilot on in smooth air, and enough
right rudder trim to center the ball, the left flap and aileron line up.
The right flap and aileron do not. The flap is about 1/2" lower. The
aileron does line up with the wingtip, though having seen the structure of
the tip I wouldn't consider it a calibration point!

Does this automatically mean there's a problem? Or could this just be
a legitimate correction for a difference in washout between the wings?


People stepping on the flap when getting in the plane ?