RANS S-20 RAVEN
TEXT MANUAL
09
/01/2013
11B-01
TAIL SURFACES
TAIL ALIGNMENT AND ROD TENSION
1.
Rotating the brace rod in the tie rod ends sets the tail brace rod tension.
Rods and rod ends are left and right hand threaded to allow that.
2.
The tension in the rods can cause the tail to warp or to get out of
alignment.
3.
Perform the following checks after the tail brace rods are tensioned.
•
Check alignment of vertical and both horizontal stabilizers in
reference to wing carry through (upper member fuselage frame/
forward wing attach). Take measurements at rear spar of horizontal
stabilizers and approximate half span. The misalignment should be
no more than ±0.5
.
•
Check both horizontal stabilizers for twist. Take measurements
inboard at root and outboard of tail brace rod attach. Use straight
edge across surface. Maximum allowable twist is +/- 0.5
.
•
Check vertical stabilizer for twist (optical).
•
Adjust rod tension by feel.
•
Check thread engagement of rod in tie rod ends. Rod should
penetrate tie rod end past the check hole. Use a piece of wire for
checking.
