Control Surface Lock

[thomas1142]

Has anyone used this item to secure control surfaces? Claims it uses existing screws. My center council does not have screw but rivets where this should mount. Would it be ok to replace rivets with screws? Item is from Aircraft Spruce

 

[kortopates]

3 hours ago, thomas1142 said:

"this item" is ?

Someone that has installed one may know. But personally, a seat belt wrapped around the yoke with the seat forward does just the job very well. Just never found the need for something better; especially when it needs to be permanently attached to the airplane.

[Hank]

I wrap  bungee between the yokes so they can't turn. If big weather is predicted, use two bungees.

[Seth]

50 minutes ago, Hank said:

I wrap  bungee between the yokes so they can't turn. If big weather is predicted, use two bungees.

I do the same. It's a red bungee when a "remove before flight" red cloth keychain with white lettering hanging from it.  Makes a difference in ailerons slamming back and forth in winds.  Elevators technically not secured but they don't tend to be as suceptiple on the ground as the ailerons.

Rudder is connected to nose gear thus it won't move unless the winds are really strong and can overpower the nose gear tire /ground friction.

 

-Seth

[ArtVandelay]

I do the same. It's a red bungee when a "remove before flight" red cloth keychain with white lettering hanging from it.  Makes a difference in ailerons slamming back and forth in winds.  

Do you really need the RBF tag?!

[jetdriven]

I made one of those for 3$. Get the red 1" nylon webbing and two D buckles at hobby lobby. Then sew a loop on one end with the the buckles. 

[carusoam]

+1 for bungees for airlerons...  add seatbelt for added elevator control...

This is good for keeping the control surfaces from banging from one extreme to the other.

A real important idea when stored outside.

Best regards,

-a-

 

[David Medders]

11 minutes ago, carusoam said:

+1 for bungees for airlerons...  add seatbelt for added elevator control...

1

+2 for bungees for ailerons.

To secure the elevator, wrap a second bungee around the first. Secure it to a frame element that is accessible on the right side of the pedestal.

David

[jetdriven]

2 hours ago, carusoam said:

+1 for bungees for airlerons...  add seatbelt for added elevator control...

This is good for keeping the control surfaces from banging from one extreme to the other.

A real important idea when stored outside.

Best regards,

-a-

 

It would take some severe winds to make the elevators and rudders band the stops. The ailerons not very much a t all. Anyways I think the aileron strap is enough short of 60+ mph winds. 

[Seth]

7 hours ago, teejayevans said:

Do you really need the RBF tag?!

It was a gag gift someone got for me at some point so I already had the red RBF flight warning on a key ring and popped it on.  Not needed - looks a tad, only a tad more professional this way.

-Seth

[Bob - S50]

We use two bungees to secure both ailerons and elevator.

Connect one from the right seat adjustment bar around the left seat yoke and back to the right seat adjustment bar.  Connect a second one from the left seat adjustment bar around the right seat yoke and back to the left seat adjustment bar.

Doesn't make it rigid but it would take a lot of wind to move it very much.

[MooneyMitch]

DonMuncy made a very effective and very cool control lock a few years ago.   Don't want to speak for him, but he might be willing to share with you on this. 

[DonMuncy]

12 minutes ago, MooneyMitch said:

DonMuncy made a very effective and very cool control lock a few years ago.   Don't want to speak for him, but he might be willing to share with you on this. 

You can see mine in my album. It is pretty light, quite strong and the only drawback is that you have to have the hollow yoke horns to utilize it.

[PTK]

I think the seat belt with seat forward works well. But to really get fancy can also use the headrest! Remove it and tilt the back of front seat forward into yoke adjusting seat base forward as needed. Reinstall headrest sideways to hold yoke in place. Keeps yokes immobilized. Pax side is easier with less things on the yoke.