rudder gust lock, etc.

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

From what I can see in your picture it shows the lock installed along the hinge line and not in the counter balance area at the top of the rudder were these types of locks are usually installed on a 170. With the lock installed on the top between the counter balance and the vertical stabilizer as pictured by the round red shape in the drawing below, when you move your rudder I'm sure you will see the skin buckling on each side of the rudder near the top inside corner were the red arrow is pointing. What you are seeing is the rudder twisting because the top rib is being held straight but the bottom rib is free to move and the whole rudder twists and flexes the skin.

Rudder.jpg

Doug I don't have a picture of my damaged rudder but trust me it is. And I don't have a movie that shows the skin buckling in each side near the top when such a lock is in place and the rudder is deflected but trust me it does and will and it becomes permanent. I've seen the damage on other 170s as well.

Did I run right out and change out my very nicely hand made big foam covered lock many years ago when this was first pointed out to me. No I didn't. Was my rudder damaged years ago before I got the plane, I can't say but it is now and the cure is simple and cheap. I would only use a big foam lock like the one you pictured on my rudder if I was stuck and had nothing else and then I wouldn't like it.

[blueldr]

Just loooking at the difference in the leverage or mechanical advantage of the two different systems should be enough to see that "Bridle" would provide much more protection in a much higher wind condition. After all, if there is no wind, no protection is neccessary.

[canav8]

Hey guys thanks for replying. George, I mean no disrespect. I know there is a wealth of information on this forum and that is why I ask these questions. I thought if I used one of these foam spounge discs out near the end of the counterbalance that a force applied would not damage the rib or the main spar for that matter. My concern was that the bridal used around the light in high wind would also break free. My 170 bird sits outside while my Super Cub is inside. I just need a biggger hangar. The big thing is the road trip. I agree the bridal is a useful tool and will opt for that option. Thanks for all the replies. Seriously, Doug

[Joe Moilanen]

A guy at my airport makes and sells a rudder gust lock that's pretty ingenuitive and simple. It consists of two pieces of approx. 1" pvc pipe about 3' long covered with foam pipe insulation. A bungee perminently holds them together at one end, and a bungee loop connects the other ends together after you position the tubes around the vertical and rudder (one on each side) from front to back. Pretty simply to make and light-weight. Would probably work well for the elevator also.

Joe

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

.... My concern was that the bridal used around the light in high wind would also break free. ...

Doug I thought the same thing. Fact is the bridal has so much more leverage it hardly seems to stress the light. I use a variation of the bridal which incorperates a ratchet from a cargo tie-down. Using this I can pull the bridal tight. The light really just helps hold the bridal from falling of the bottom.

[flyguy]

DONCHA FELLAS NOE HOW TO SPELL "bridle" (see link to educate)THU THING U USE TU GUIDE A HORASE OR KIP URE RUDDER THINGY FRUM SMAKKIN URE TAILE TU SMITHERS EEENS??? "BRIDAL" IS FER GALS THINKIN BOUT MARAGE AN WE SURED DOANT NEED TO INCOURAGE THEM NONE SO QUIT TAKIN LIBERTYS WITH THAT "b" WORD

http://www.bridleandbit.com/artman/publish/index.shtml

[canav8]

Holy Crap, I am being chased by the Grammer Police from the deep south. In your neck of the woods I would be more worried about my sister... Thanks for the correction.Besides you sound like my wife who is a first grade school teacher. I am still in school. Go easy on me Doug

[W.J.Langholz]

AS the young couple was checking in the hotel on their wedding night the desk clerk looked at the young man and said would you like the "Bridal".............he smile and said no I just grab her by the ears...............

[GAHorn]

Hey guys thanks for replying. George, I mean no disrespect. ...

No offense taken at all...just another example of how the written word cannot carry "voice"...or it would have been obvious to all that I was being light-hearted about the "accusation".

[blueldr]

The main problem with the one inch PVC pipe covered with insulation, and the bungee to hold it in place, is that it is far too bulky to carry around in the airplane.

[Joe Moilanen]

The main problem with the one inch PVC pipe covered with insulation, and the bungee to hold it in place, is that it is far too bulky to carry around in the airplane.

It is a little bulky, depending on how much stuff you normally carry around with you. I don't use this set-up myself, but they have them in the planes at my local FBO that I fly for them. You can slip them under the back seat and off to one side, pilot preference I suppose...

Joe

[4-Shipp]

My set up is similar to George's, but made with different materials. I cut an 8" length of bicycle tire tube, flattened it, cut a hole in the center (through both sides of the tube) to go over the light on the rudder, and poked a hole about 1" from each end. I then used two bungee cords (cloth-covered type with rubber/plastic coated hooks) hooked to each end of the the tire tube. After placing the tube over the rudder light, I hook the other ends inside the outside hinge relief on the under side of the elevators. The plastic coating on the hooks protects the elevator and I have had no indications of wear on the elevators. I found going to the bottom of the elevator easier as the lap belt is used to hold the elevator in the full up position. This method differs from the vinyl rope method by providing some movement of the rudder without excessive stress on the rudder light assembly. This is especially noticeable when moving the airplane with the rudder gust lock in place and the tail wheel locks and un-locks as it rotates.

I also have a set of 10" disk type locks (similar to the pictures in this thread on the Piper udder) that I use on the ailerons. They slide between the aileron and flap and are held in place by a bungee between the eye-bolt in the lock and the tie down ring on the strut. This may be overkill as the lap belt through the yoke also provides some security for the ailerons but I feel better with them in place.

Bruce