Vaughn Simon wrote:

"no thank" wrote in message
...
I've tried putting less "common mode" pressure
on it, but I don't feel as much in control when I do that. I was thinking
of installing a wood block to better distribute the force, but I'm
concerned about the safety of that.

Let me guess...you are strictly a glider pilot? That "common mode"
pressure habit I somehow aquired while exclusively flying gliders had to be lost
quickly when I started flying airplanes. Have you ever made a locked brake
landing in a Cessna? I did...once.

I am exclusively a glider pilot.

Seriously, your legs are strong and you can apply hundreds of pounds of
pressure that way without even thinking about it. Have you ever taken a good
look at how light some of that rudder control rigging is?

I doubt I'm applying more than 50 pounds from each foot, but spread over
an area that is perhaps 2 square inches thats a lot of pressure to be
constantly applying to your foot. I haven't looked carefully at the
assembly, but I doubt I'm stressing it more than its stressing me. Its
not a problem for 45 minutes, but on a multihour flight it gets tiring.

I think part of the issue is seating position. When I'm driving a car, I
don't brace my left foot on the "dead" pedal when not using the clutch. I
assume most planes have more upright seating than the Libelle so I may not
tend to do that as much in a powered aircraft

dan