Ailerons out of rig?

[Joe Larussa]

On my 77 M20J I have noticed it takes some good left aileron to fly straight in flight. With auto pilot on the ball is to the left and attitude indicator showing a slight bank. When turning off the auto pilot hands off she wants to bank right. I looked at the ailerons today and the right one is higher then the left one by about 1/2" when comparing it to the wing. What do you guy's think?

 

Thanks

[N201MKTurbo]

It sounds like your rudder is out of rig. How are the ailerons with the ball centered?

[jetdriven]

Should be ball centered wings level and ailerons faired with the wing tips.   Bending the trailing edge of the ailerons or adjusting the flap stop and/or bending the rudder TE will get u there.  It's all in the SMM.  

[Joe Larussa]

Just thinking out loud. Shouldn't the ailerons be identical? If one is level and the one on the right is up 1/2" wouldn't that cause banking to the right?

[DAVIDWH]

Noticed my ailerons are not level with wing tips on ground, but in cruise,

when turning loose of controls, she flys straight and straighter. Was advised probably a control rod issue that should just be left alone.

Go figure.

[Nemesis]

Joe,

There are many threads here on MS about rigging. Do a little searching and read up on the subject. Also, I would suggest to not get too deep into rigging until you talk to a qualified Mooney specific mechanic and one that has the Mooney travel boards to measure the position and movement of your control surfaces.

The first thing to do is to get the rudder rigged, first on the ground and then in the air. Level the airplane left and right using the seat rails as your level surfaces. Level front to back is not so important in this first step. Once laterally level, check to see if the ball is centered in your turn coordinator. if so, then your instrument is ok. Next, fly the airplane to determine which direction the rudder needs to go to get the ball centered in flight. If you feel brave, you can flex the trailing edge of the rudder in the opposite direction needed to begin to try to get the ball centered. In other words, if the ball is out to the right so that you need right rudder, then flex the trailing edge of the rudder to the left. When I say flex, I mean flex. Some might say bend but if you bend the metal you will have made and HUGE adjustment. Also remember that any of these adjustments are very subtle. It does not take much adjusting to make a big difference in flight!!

I know that you asked specifically about your ailerons and that they appear offset, but the part that must be corrected first is rudder. That is where the rigging process starts. Again, I wouldn't do much adjusting - or any - until you have talked to good Mooney specific mechanic that actually looks at your airplane and makes a recommendation, and also until you have some sort of feel about how subtle these adjustments really are - perhaps by observation.

Dave

[carusoam]

There are tools available to specifically rig the ailerons.

there are procedures in a maintenance manual as well.

there are mechanics that know how to do this correctly.

some people like to work on their planes.  When they require an A&P signature for the work being done, they find a mechanic that will work with them.

are you familiar with the list of maintenance that is appropriate for private pilots to do?  A simple search of this site will bring it up.  Somebody posted it not too long ago.

best regards,

-a-

Edited September 14, 2015 by carusoam

[Joe Larussa]

Thanks for all the info! I have done a lot of work on this Mooney with the help of my A&P of course. I like to do as much research and learning on my own prior to having anyone work on my plane so I can be knowledgable as well as knowing if the mechanic is on the right path. Would not think of trying to rig the plane myself.

Edited September 14, 2015 by Joe Larussa

[jetdriven]

The way to bend the rudder or ailerons is saw a 3/8" deep groove into the side of a 12" long 2x4.   Put that over the trailing edge and flex.  But you only get .11" which is nothing.  Check the flap up stops too. 

[Guest]

On my 77 M20J I have noticed it takes some good left aileron to fly straight in flight. With auto pilot on the ball is to the left and attitude indicator showing a slight bank. When turning off the auto pilot hands off she wants to bank right. I looked at the ailerons today and the right one is higher then the left one by about 1/2" when comparing it to the wing. What do you guy's think?

 

Thanks

To get your Mooney to fly straight you will need someone who has the proper Mooney travel boards and a maintenance manual.  You will likely end up checking and adjusting the wing flaps, ailerons and rudder in the process.

Things to verify as well, is the turn and bank ball centred when the plane is levelled laterally? Is the landing gear retracted fully and to all the doors close fully?

Clarence

[1964-M20E]

Make sure the controls are rigged correctly in accordance with the manual before bending anything.

[Mooney in Oz]

+1 what Clarence and John said.

I recently had this done to my J and it involved a lot of trial and error adjustments.  Don't expect to get it right the first time.

Victor

 

[carl]

I just saw this, before I posted the same question in the vintage section .