Aileron Rigging

Having previously adjusted the aileron neutral postion relative to the wing aileron bellcrank, all that remains to rig the aileron control system is to adjust the CS-00005 Stick to Torque Tube Pushrod length.

The joystick is adjusted by reference to fuselage datums to be neutral in roll, and in pitch. We are using Tosten Joysticks, but temporarily fitted a Vans stick and tied/taped it to lock the required neutral postion.

The neutral pitch requirement is not obvious, until you realise that the control system geometry means that there is a very slight symmetrical roll input as the joystick is moved in the pitch plane.

I had already installed the CS-00005 Pushrods much earlier onto the CS-00007 Control Stick Bases, when the fuselage was on the rotisserie … giving much easier access.

The ailerons have to be locked in their neutral position prior to fine tuning the pushrods to match.

The manual is confusing here … Vans changed the aileron rigging method to ignore the included template and simply align with the flap fully up position. Yet in this section they again mention the template, and suggest the ailerons are rigged to be 1/16″ above the wing tips.

I think this is probably because they have found that aerodynamic load on the ailerons tends to make them “droop” 1/16″.

But we’ve decided to rig them perfectly aligned with the flaps/wing tips, and make any adjustment after seeing their position during flight testing.

Wing/Fuselage Fairings

I had taken a gamble with the F-14118B Lower Wing Root Fairings and bent them as per the manual prior to wing attachment. This was so that they’d be prepared for the paintshop.

Well I just got away with it … I had been careful to follow the manual advice on where to commence and finish the bends, but discovered that for a perfect fit the bend should have started slightly earlier.

But with a bit of manipulation we got a good fit. Otherwise they matched the wing root geometry and holes exactly … another impressive Vans triumph actually.

Three holes each side are match drilled and then nutplates fitted. This picture shows a nutplate temporarily screwed on the wrong side to make match drilling of the attachment holes easier …

… well a bit easier, since you are working upside down!

The holes are dimpled and then the nutplates riveted … this is probably the last use of my trusty pneumatic squeezer!

Fuel Pipes

I had cheated and purchased fuel pipework from Aircraft Speciality, and as normal, it all fitted like a glove.

This shows the fuel tank vent tube, which connects onto …

… a JDAir Fuel Vent Fairing.

I had spotted these on a lovely RV14 (Rick Thompson’s N327RT) at Oshkosh in 2019, and decided they’d do just nicely on G-STRV.

I doubt if any drag is saved, but they provide a neat and secure exit for the vent tubes.