Ovation Rudder Trim on Ground

[hais]

Picking up the airplane from maintenance. Noticed that the rudder trim doesn't go full left. Only slightly off neutral. Right travel is full range.

Its been a while - airplane on ground for 1 year - but I think the travel used to be full left. The shop can't find anything suspicious, so wanted to double check: does yours travel full left? 

[GeeBee]

Yes

[hais]

Thanks - any suggestions what to check? It is not just the indicator, the rudder trim doesn't travel as well past the neutral position.

[mike_elliott]

wine stomping on the rudders or using the rudder trim while stationary is a bit hard on the steering horn bushings and heim on all Mooneys [1]. Suggest this check while in motion.

[1] Predator may be different as well as the m22... @Pmaxwell ?

[hais]

On 6/27/2023 at 4:01 AM, M20Doc said:

Not sure if this applies to your serial number.

https://www.mooney.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/SIM20-124A.pdf

Thanks - ours is SN 29-0086. I'll pass this along though as it might give ideas. 

[Fly Boomer]

On 6/26/2023 at 10:04 PM, hais said:

Thanks - any suggestions what to check? It is not just the indicator, the rudder trim doesn't travel as well past the neutral position.

Whether it applies to your airplane or not, that Service Instruction posted by @M20Doc contains the following line:

"The trim limits are 3 to 5 degrees left, 23 degrees right."

Your airplane may be functioning as designed.

[Jeff_S]

Rudder trim?  Isn't that what feet are for?  

Just kidding...sort of.  I have to admit I don't touch the rudder trim in my Ovation, except when it comes back from annual and somebody ELSE touched it to test it out. Then I get it back to center while in-flight and leave it there.  I realize it can be helpful especially on take-off, but it was never part of my checklist in any other plane so I just didn't add it to this one.  There are enough gizmos to play with already!  Of course my Acclaim buddy David never stops reminding me about the SB for runaway rudder trim that I'm supposed to have done, otherwise I'm going to DIE DIE DIE (or so he says in his texts).

What can I say...living on the edge!

[Cruiser]

Take off and extended climbs. It sure makes climbs a LOT more comfortable not standing on the right rudder all the way up to altitude.