Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Can someone tell me if the rudder cables go inside or outside of the flap cables? Thanks! Troy and Barbara

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Troy and Barbara

Oops, disregard the previous message, ii read your posting wrong .. The rudder cables are outside the flap cables.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Thanks Lee!

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Troy and Barbara

That's actually a trick question of sorts, I answered assuming you were referring to the tunnel area. If you draw a line from the center of the firewall about 8" above the floorboard to the rudder horn, that's where the rudder cables lie. The flap cables start in the center under the lever, go straight back and down the the back of the baggage compt, they then head outboard and then forward to the flap horns. So overall they take turns on whos outboard.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Does anybody know the proper rudder cable tension for the T-18?

Jim

Kind of depends on the size springs you use up front. T-18 cables, like the RV ones hang loose if you don't have springs. You might want to look at the plans for a clue on the proper rigging.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

While we are on the subject of the rudder system, has anyone put a set of hard primary control stops in their airplane? (Photo appreciated.)

I believe all flight controls need stops up here in the Great White North. I was planning to build something off the firewall angles to make contact with the horns (for the springs) on the rudder pedals.

The control stop for the rudder is on the rudder. Should be limited to fifteen degrees each way.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Stop/part is riveted on the bottom of the rudder along with the rudder horn if I remember right ?

RB

Ok... I remember now... that was almost two years ago when I took the fin and rudder off for the "routine inspection."

Still, stops at the control surfaces are considered to be "secondary stops," aren't they? Primary stops are at the stick and pedals. ie) We have screws which in the walking beam which act as stops for the left and right inputs from the stick (which mine were too short to engage) and we have structural elements to control the fore and aft limits of the stick.

I was wondering if anyone has installed primary rudder stops to control the left and right limits of the rudder pedals, to compliment the stops at the back. I'm guessing that, with some brute force, one could squeeze a considerable amount of rudder pedal travel beyond the engagement of the rudder stops. (I will confirm when I get my tail put together.) - D

The rudder stops and elevator stops that are incorporated in most small aircraft are like the Thorp. Dick, forgive me, but I think you are over engineering something that does not need it. There are just two many planes flying with this type of stops. Sometimes two of something can get you in trouble. If you can over ride the rudder stops on a Thorp I sure as heck don't want to leg wrestle you. It's 3/8" aluminum going up against 1/4".
Some one mentioned the rudder cable tension. This tension is a result of the rudder return springs. A few builders have installed a threaded eye bolt through the firewall and tightened or loosened the eye bolt to put different tension on the rudder cables thus trimming the rudder eliminating a trim tab. I use my turn buckles from the tailwheel to adjust rudder trim.

My rudder cables are outboard - attached to the pedals are turnbuckles, which in turn are attached to the rudder cables.

It's a curse (overengineering). , Bill, which partially explains why it's taking me so long. As usual you guys are right.

Thx for the input, sirs..... and all the best for/at OSH! I hope to see you all there next year.

(I was wondering if a half dozen Thorps would constitute a Mass Arrival. Maybe we could impress the ladies.) ;-)


D