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View Poll Results: Do you have Rudder trim on your Kitfox?

Voters
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  • S5, S6, S7 Yes

    11 26.83%
  • S5, S6, S7 No

    12 29.27%
  • IV or Earlier Yes

    6 14.63%
  • IV or Earlier No

    12 29.27%
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Thread: Rudder trim use

  1. #11
    Senior Member Esser's Avatar
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    Edmonton, AB
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    Default Re: Rudder trim use

    I added provisions for one. See attached pics. I haven't cut the holes through the fabric to access this attach point. I will probably do it before it is flying though.



    ------------------
    Josh Esser
    Flying SS7
    Rotax 914iS
    AirMaster Prop

    Edmonton, AB, CWL3

  2. #12
    Senior Member Slyfox's Avatar
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    Dec 2008
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    felts field, spokane
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    Default Re: Rudder trim use

    interesting, looks like you have it to put one on the left side of the rudder. sorry to say, mine needed it on the right side of the rudder
    steve
    slyfox
    model IV 1200-flying
    912uls
    IVO medium in-flight
    RV7A-flying
    IO-360
    constant speed prop

  3. #13
    Senior Member colospace's Avatar
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    Oct 2009
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    Littleton, CO
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    322

    Default Re: Rudder trim use

    I did something very similar to what Esser shows, but I did one on each side with just two nut plates per fitting. I will determine what is needed once I finally get flying.
    - Gary
    S7 SuperSport Tri-gear
    w/Rotax 912, Oratex, Dynon

  4. #14
    Senior Member
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    Dec 2012
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    Mt Beauty, Australia
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    Default Re: Rudder trim use

    I followed Jim's simple design of a 6" aluminum tab attached with a double sided tape. Simple and fast, easy to adjust, light and cheap. Took about an hour to make and attach.

    cheers

    r
    Ross
    Mt Beauty, Vic
    OZ
    Sold to Richard and Scott Taubman in OZ, 2019. Kitfox SS7,Rotax 912is Sport, Airmaster CSP 75" blades.
    Landcruiser and Cub off road camper (doesn't get any kudos on this forum!)

  5. #15
    Senior Member Dave S's Avatar
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    Default Re: Rudder trim use

    Ross,

    Your's really sounds easy-peasy.......would you be willing to share some details? How far up the rudder is your tab? You mentioned 6" tab - what is the other dimension sticking out past the back of the rudder? Do you have the tab stuck on the port or starboard side?

    Thanks, Appreciate your comments
    Dave S
    Kitfox 7 Trigear (Flying since 2009)
    912ULS Warp Drive

    St Paul, MN

  6. #16
    Senior Member
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    Dec 2012
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    Default Re: Rudder trim use

    Sure Steve - I'll take a photo when shortly and post it with dimensions. Be a couple of hours. But I basically followed Jim Otts advice posted elsewhere on this forum that goes like this.....

    "I used a piece of aluminum 6" long by 2" sticking out & 2" taped down with heavy duty doublestick automotive trim tape. No sign of coming loose after 2-1/2 years. About 25-30 degrees of bend. Just use thin enough aluminum (~0.020) so you can experiment and change the bend without removing it."

    cheers

    r
    Ross
    Mt Beauty, Vic
    OZ
    Sold to Richard and Scott Taubman in OZ, 2019. Kitfox SS7,Rotax 912is Sport, Airmaster CSP 75" blades.
    Landcruiser and Cub off road camper (doesn't get any kudos on this forum!)

  7. #17
    Senior Member
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    Default Re: Rudder trim use

    Here you go Steve. Dimensions as per Jim in my last post. I measured the deflection angle at 18'. I set it at 25' first and the ball was out the other side! Easy to just do small adjustments until you get it just right.

    cheers

    ross
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Ross
    Mt Beauty, Vic
    OZ
    Sold to Richard and Scott Taubman in OZ, 2019. Kitfox SS7,Rotax 912is Sport, Airmaster CSP 75" blades.
    Landcruiser and Cub off road camper (doesn't get any kudos on this forum!)

  8. #18
    Senior Member Dave S's Avatar
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    Default Re: Rudder trim use

    Hey Ross,

    Thanks for the details and the photo...makes it very clear.
    Dave S
    Kitfox 7 Trigear (Flying since 2009)
    912ULS Warp Drive

    St Paul, MN

  9. #19
    Senior Member Dave S's Avatar
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    Default Re: Rudder trim use

    First off, I want to thank the list members for sharing what they had done for rudder trim. I spent a lot of time trying to decided which way would work best (and easiest)....your contributions helped a lot. Admittedly, a kitfox does not take a lot of rudder pressure to keep it in line and a person can fly it just fine without, but I have to admit to getting butt-itus on the right side from holding right rudder on a cruise flight.

    I had not considered rudder trim at the time of construction so there was not much chance to put something together attached to the structure of the rudder directly. So it had to be something attached to the skin.

    I'd like to thank Rosslr for sharing the photo and measurements as an outside stick on is pretty much what I could do considering the plane was complete before I thought about rudder trim.

    Also looked at some non experimental aircraft and found some with a tube trailing edge had the tab attached to the right side of the rudder and curved to the left behind the rudder - experimented with the size and vertical placement Ross used except attached it to the right side. Also used the 3M high strength auto trim tape with 4 1/2" strips to make up a 2" attachment surface.

    The first trial had a little too much of a bend in the tab resulting in a slight need for holding left rudder in cruise. Ended up with a bend as indicated in the attached photos.

    Works so well that I can't believe I flew so many hours without getting this done earlier! Now cruises hands off an feet off.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Dave S
    Kitfox 7 Trigear (Flying since 2009)
    912ULS Warp Drive

    St Paul, MN

  10. #20
    Senior Member HighWing's Avatar
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    Goodyear, AZ
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    Default Re: Rudder trim use

    Dave,
    Looks really nice, and effective by your report.

    I guess I am the only one who has a servo adjusting the trim. It was more of an experiment due to some ideas from long ago. I guess the important thing it suggested is that for the most part, variable trim in not really necessary. My experiment was to determine if creating an airfoil shape on the rudder - flat on one side airfoil on the other - would create sufficient lift to act as trim. In short - Yes it Does.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Lowell Fitt
    Goodyear, AZ


    My You Tube Channel

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