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Thread: Seat pan rubbing on control linkage

  1. #1
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    Default Seat pan rubbing on control linkage

    I just recently bought a Classic 4 KF that was wrecked then rebuilt by a aircraft mechanic. Might have seen it on Barnstormers. Anyway, it was real close to being completed when the builder passed away. The builder's son sold it to me and I am diving it to finish it. Already ran into my first snarl and need advice. I went to put the seat pan in to get the "sitting in the cockpit of your new project picture", and I noticed that the seat pan totally restricts the movement of the control linkages both from the flap control linkage and the aileron contol linkage. In looking at the bottom of the seat pan, I can see where the flap control linkage has been rubbing but I don't see any rub marks from the aileron linkage. The linkage is actually holding the seat up probably 1/2". When you sit in the seat, you cannot move the control stick at all. I searched this site for an answer and didn't find my exact scenario. I read on another site that you have to bend this linkage to clear the pan. It is obvious that all this linkage has been replaced so I can't tell if the original was bent or not. The book doesn't say anything about it either. Just wanted to get a second opinion before I go bending on things. Thanks.

  2. #2
    Senior Member HighWing's Avatar
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    Default Re: Seat pan rubbing on control linkage

    Jerry,

    I just measured mine and both flaps tube and aileron tube are bent about an inch total measuring with a straight edge along the length. This is my second Model IV and the first was bent as well.

    Lowell

  3. #3

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    Default Re: Seat pan rubbing on control linkage

    I'm finishing up my Kitfox IV. Heres a picture that might help ya out.


    Chris Wehner
    Tulsa Ok
    Kitfox IV, 912UL
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  4. #4

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    Default Re: Seat pan rubbing on control linkage

    Jerry - A couple of thought on this:

    1. Make sure the control rod "bends" are such that the rods are as low as possible (i.e., against the bottom fabric). The rods can be rotated into various positions and fixed in position with the jam nuts against the rod ends.

    2. On my Model 7, I fabrcated several "slings" using perforated metal pipe hanging strap available at Lowes/Home Depot. It's 1/2 in or so wide and comes on a roll. Simply loop the strapping material over the structural tubing the seat pan rests on (front and back) and secure the loops with AN hardware. This will ensure that the seat pan does not shift down in the future and jam the controls.

    3. Be sure to tie wrap the seat pan to the the structural tubing per the plans to be sure the seat does not slip off teh structural stub supporting it.

    Hope this helps,

    Chris

  5. #5
    Senior Member cap01's Avatar
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    Default Re: Seat pan rubbing on control linkage

    if the seat pan isnt secured properly , it will slip off the front cross tube and will jam up the controls . i had it happen during some taxi tests . ive installed adel camps on the fwd cross tube with clip nuts and installed screws thru the fiberglass along with tywraps at the back . also used a 2 inch web strap fore and aft under the pilots seat to keep it from jamming the controls incase it does slip off for some reason .
    chuck
    kitfox IV 1050
    912ul warpdrive
    flying B , yelm, wa

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Seat pan rubbing on control linkage

    So bending the rods it is! Thanks for all the info. I think I am going to use nylon webbing for supports under the pan to keep it from falling down on to the linkage. Boat winch straps are pretty thin and very strong. This will be in addition to the zip ties or metal clamps to hold the edges of the pan to the support tubes.

    On a side note, does anyone else have dumb things happen to them while working on their plane? I manged to poke a small hole in the bottom of the fuselage fabric by accidently dropping a razor knife. My jaw dropped when it happened. It is a small slit but still, it messed up a beautiful finish and ruined my day. Thank god it was on the bottom of the fuselage so you really can't see it. Any pointers on fixing it. I put tape over it.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Seat pan rubbing on control linkage

    I have storage lockers in my seat pan(one on each side)Bought them from Merle Williams. These are also suppose to keep you from blocking the controls if the seat breaks.
    Dick Maddux
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  8. #8
    Senior Member DanB's Avatar
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    Default Re: Seat pan rubbing on control linkage

    Jerry,
    I feel your pain...Take a little time to clean the area with MEK taking it down to the fabric or the polybrush. I picture an oversized round patch placed inside and out after your PolyBrush. Go through your painting steps and use a small touch up sprayer or an air brush. You will be the only one that could point it out.
    Dan B
    Mesa, AZ

  9. #9
    Senior Member cap01's Avatar
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    Default Re: Seat pan rubbing on control linkage

    for the time i was completing the construction i kept the belly covered under the seat pan to protect it from things i dropped . but things happen and i punched one hole with a screwdriver and another was already in it when i acquired the kit , the fuselage and wings were already covered . its easy patching from the inside , patching from the outside is the difficult repair . having to disturb and replace the paint is more of a challenge
    chuck
    kitfox IV 1050
    912ul warpdrive
    flying B , yelm, wa

  10. #10
    Senior Member HighWing's Avatar
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    Default Re: Seat pan rubbing on control linkage

    A couple of notes:

    The repair from the inside sounds like the fix to me. Be cafeful, though if your final finish is aerothane. The solvents in the adhesive won't pass the aerothane, but can cause it to bubble. I think I would use polybrush for the fix. In fact, I did a fix over aerothane once and used the structural adhesive that came with the kit to avoid a previous experience with the bubbling.

    Also, the seat pan failures - dropping in the controls - is pretty much confined to the later models where they shortened the forward lip of the seat to accommodate the cover over the control stick cross tube assembly. The IV and previous designs have a pronounced lip, and unless you tend to land awfully hard and are a big guy, I think the straps can be eliminated. I plan no straps on my IV and I know of at least one owner who doesn't even use the tiewraps for easy access to that area - many hundreds of hours with lots of dirt and grass landings. I don't recommend that, but doing what may be necessary on a Series six to a Model IV might be a bit of overkill. I had 900 hours on my first IV with no pan issues with only tiewraps every three inches or so.

    Lowell

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