Need Input On Rudder Lock

[[email protected]]

I'm trying to build an inexpensive yet effective rudder lock for an
assembled GROB 103 or TWIN ASTIR. Have tried two or three approaches
but not happy with any thus far. Needs to be rugged, lightweight, and
user friendly (think club environment). Any ideas?

Mike

[Burt Compton - Marfa]

Consider fabricating an inside-the-cockpit, front seat only -- lock
or damper.
Something you would see getting in.
Rear cockpit control locks WILL be overlooked.
Bungee cords work well to dampen the movement and might fold up
nicely.
Decorate with red ribbons.
Add control lock item(s) to pre-flight and post-flight checklists.

(Google "Checklist Boeing B-17" for a reason to create / use pre-
flight checklists.)

[Matt Herron Jr.]

On Apr 18, 2:11*pm, wrote:
> I'm trying to build an inexpensive yet effective rudder lock for an
> assembled GROB 103 or TWIN ASTIR. Have tried two or three approaches
> but not happy with any thus far. Needs to be rugged, lightweight, and
> user friendly (think club environment). Any ideas?
>
> Mike

Heavy gauge PVC pipe with elbows and PVC glue and covered with water
pipe insulator. Tie two pipes together with a bit of rope at the back
through two holes. $20?

[Bob Kuykendall]

On Apr 18, 3:26*pm, "Matt Herron Jr." > wrote:

> Heavy gauge PVC pipe with elbows and PVC glue and covered with water
> pipe insulator. *Tie two pipes together with a bit of rope at the back
> through two holes. *$20?

That would be my preference. It's light and cheap, and is pretty sure
to do the job at hand. Remember that you're not trying to completely
immobilize the rudder, you're just trying to prevent it from hammering
against its stops.

Thanks, Bob K.

[Papa3]

On Apr 18, 6:32*pm, Bob Kuykendall > wrote:
> On Apr 18, 3:26*pm, "Matt Herron Jr." > wrote:
>
> > Heavy gauge PVC pipe with elbows and PVC glue and covered with water
> > pipe insulator. *Tie two pipes together with a bit of rope at the back
> > through two holes. *$20?
>
> That would be my preference. It's light and cheap, and is pretty sure
> to do the job at hand. Remember that you're not trying to completely
> immobilize the rudder, you're just trying to prevent it from hammering
> against its stops.
>
> Thanks, Bob K.

It's exactly what we use on our G103. Only mod is that we use a
hitch pin at the trailing edge rather than rope.

[JJ Sinclair[_2_]]

On Apr 18, 3:07*pm, Burt Compton - Marfa > wrote:
> Consider fabricating an inside-the-cockpit, front seat only -- *lock
> or damper.
> Something you would see getting in.
> Rear cockpit control locks WILL be overlooked.
> Bungee cords work well to dampen the movement and might fold up
> nicely.
> Decorate with red ribbons.
> Add control lock item(s) to pre-flight and post-flight checklists.
>
> (Google "Checklist Boeing B-17" for a reason to create / use pre-
> flight checklists.)

If memory serves me, I believe I hooked a bungee from one rear rudder
pedal to fuselage structure so that the bungee held the rudder against
one stop. Won't work from the front cockpit because those pedals are
cable driven, but the rear is hooked directly to a pushrod. For sure,
attach a long red streamer that hangs over the front seat.
JJ