Peter, I took a look at the picture at
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~earls/earls48.jpg - I know what you mean by
die-cast now. My fitting does not look like that. Thanks for the warning
though.

I'm still hoping someone knows what the terminal is for on my oil cooler. If
it's not obvious to someone then I will need to start dismantling things to
find out who made it.

David Chalmers
TriQ200 N4016G
Redmond, WA

Paul F,Dave T, Dave G, Pat P , Al K , The Bruce , and James P

Thank you all for a new insight into my Q . Nicely built by the
Mollenhauer Bros. it was first of type certified here in '89 and is
an award winner . I have used it since '91and during recent flight
testing of the Norton rotary installation over the past two years I
have survived three engine stoppages for installation glitches ,no
fault of the engine . The last broke the canard .
During these experiences I have decided my plans built ergonomics
does not suit me . Those who can manage the trim with the left hand
have much longer arms than me , but the most important thing I have
learned from your recent advice is that there is too much friction
on my trim wheel spindle and that would almost eliminate the problem
.By simply releasing the friction control the trim would follow the
stick and would eliminate the fight (fright ) with the spring and
this much I could probably do left handed.If the trim was not then
reset to glide the only load on the way down would be aerodynamic
and easy to manage given the sparrow strainers OK.
Full spring load is manageable but a sweat under these conditions
especially if unexpected.
It explains also why my Q builder substituted a softer spring in the
forward position because when the preload is lost the sudden
increase in stick pressure is alarming if not expected or understood
properly .He had trouble flaring to land and advised me to set
excess aft trim and hold it forward as a precaution .
When I bought VH ONQ ( # ONE Quickie) I replaced the spring as per
plans and learned to manage all situations but was NOT happy with
the recent engine- fail - retrim case .
I have read through the plans and there is no reference to the need
for attention to friction on the spindle and given we are expecting
the springs to turn a 0.375" OD tube in the plain phenolic bearings
by winding and unwinding a cord with a turning moment of only 0.187"
it is not surprising some don't turn freely .Perhaps there are
others in need of adjustment .Obviously it can easily be tested on
the ground and this is an important issue for new builders .
The plans make also no mention of pre loading the springs. A lack of
preload , coupled with excess friction would introduce the fight
with the spring earlier in the action .
After I get the Q back on it's wheels I will fix the spindle
friction problem and the ergonomics will be better but still open to
further improvement .It will be easy to move the starter switch to
the left hand .
Thanks Pat for the description of the glider trim/ spring operation
. Like all good designs it is simple and is one finger operated from
the stick itself , but not electric . I will look at the possibility
of adapting it to my Q.
I hear all the good advice to fit a reflexor but I had no need for
it before (except in default for the spindle friction problem) and
want to get the prime systems right before adding any more.Then I
will go into it.
I very much appreciate your help. This has been a big outcome for my
Q and a surprise that something like this could be overlooked in my
case for so long by so many different pilots .
Peter H

After all the advice you have gotten on the subject, I think it would be
a good idea to put it at the top of the list of things to do. How do
you figure that you have had no need for it before....?

You need one now.

Paul F,Dave T, Dave G, Pat P , Al K , The Bruce , and James P

Thank you all for a new insight into my Q . Nicely built by the
Mollenhauer Bros. it was first of type certified here in '89 and is
an award winner . I have used it since '91and during recent flight
testing of the Norton rotary installation over the past two years I
have survived three engine stoppages for installation glitches ,no
fault of the engine . The last broke the canard .
During these experiences I have decided my plans built ergonomics
does not suit me . Those who can manage the trim with the left hand
have much longer arms than me , but the most important thing I have
learned from your recent advice is that there is too much friction
on my trim wheel spindle and that would almost eliminate the problem
.By simply releasing the friction control the trim would follow the
stick and would eliminate the fight (fright ) with the spring and
this much I could probably do left handed.If the trim was not then
reset to glide the only load on the way down would be aerodynamic
and easy to manage given the sparrow strainers OK.
Full spring load is manageable but a sweat under these conditions
especially if unexpected.
It explains also why my Q builder substituted a softer spring in the
forward position because when the preload is lost the sudden
increase in stick pressure is alarming if not expected or understood
properly .He had trouble flaring to land and advised me to set
excess aft trim and hold it forward as a precaution .
When I bought VH ONQ ( # ONE Quickie) I replaced the spring as per
plans and learned to manage all situations but was NOT happy with
the recent engine- fail - retrim case .
I have read through the plans and there is no reference to the need
for attention to friction on the spindle and given we are expecting
the springs to turn a 0.375" OD tube in the plain phenolic bearings
by winding and unwinding a cord with a turning moment of only 0.187"
it is not surprising some don't turn freely .Perhaps there are
others in need of adjustment .Obviously it can easily be tested on
the ground and this is an important issue for new builders .
The plans make also no mention of pre loading the springs. A lack of
preload , coupled with excess friction would introduce the fight
with the spring earlier in the action .
After I get the Q back on it's wheels I will fix the spindle
friction problem and the ergonomics will be better but still open to
further improvement .It will be easy to move the starter switch to
the left hand .
Thanks Pat for the description of the glider trim/ spring operation
. Like all good designs it is simple and is one finger operated from
the stick itself , but not electric . I will look at the possibility
of adapting it to my Q.
I hear all the good advice to fit a reflexor but I had no need for
it before (except in default for the spindle friction problem) and
want to get the prime systems right before adding any more.Then I
will go into it.
I very much appreciate your help. This has been a big outcome for my
Q and a surprise that something like this could be overlooked in my
case for so long by so many different pilots .
Peter H

I'm still hoping someone knows what the terminal is for on my oil cooler. If
it's not obvious to someone then I will need to start dismantling things to
find out who made it.

Pat ,
That ties in with an idea I had as follows :
The push rod sides in a short tube which is welded to the bottom of the stick and slightly aft of centre .
Preload on the spring attachment at the other end to the torque tubes skews the rod to make it bind in this tube (like a slide adjusted G clamp.).
A thumb operated button in top of the stick applies pressure to the push rod forward of its retaining tube to relieve spring pressure and allow it to slide.
The further offset the trim , the more button pressure would be required . ??