wing levelers

On Fri, 25 Feb 2005 00:12:06 GMT, "Dick" wrote:

Sitting around the hanger and discussing the possibility of somehow using
off-the-shelf electronic/computer components or gadgits for semi-automatic
wing leveling on lightly loaded, short wingspans.

To paraphrase the manual for my auto-pilot. When encountering more
than moderate turbulence, turn off the autopilot. I believe Pete
touched on this as well.

The same is true for altitude excursions.

Mine can do a much better job of holding altitude and attitude than I
when the going gets really rough.

That's when I turn it off and manually hold the attitude (more or
less).

Yes it can be done and I'd think the simplest would be to get a solid
state gyro, or turn coordinator... and build around that.


Not being computer guys, the current thought is that something should be out
there that is available cheaply and modifiable to use a simple wing
leveler.

All it takes is money. The less ingenuity, the more money.


Having heard someplace that automotive computers, as an example, sense data
millions of times leads us to believe that sensing the wing tip initial
movement and counteracting very very quickly would be a good thing.

Counteracting very quickly with a lightly loaded wing could possibly
break something very quickly as well.


As an example: One fellow pictured a rolling ball bearing inside a tube
somehow activating a magnetic switch which in turn pulses a dc linear motor
to operate the aileron minutely.

Rule number one...no... sorry that one is already taken. An airplane
and any thing in it does not know up from down in anything except
straight and level flying. However a gyro tends to stay in the same
position you put it when starting out, so it makes a good reference
platform. (as long as you don't do anything drastic to confuse it such
as causing it to tumble)
I haven't seen any prices on the components for a solid state gyro.


We are not sure how to detect the very earliest initial wing tip movement or
drive the small trim type motor and would appreciate some thoughts or site
recommendations to investigate.

Find an old DG, or TC and experiment from there.
Build in sufficient disconnects so if it goes TU you can put the
greasy side on the bottom again.

You can over-ride a wing leveler or AP, but it always gives me a
strange feeling to be telling the airplane to do one thing when it's
fighting me to do something else and its attempt is readily apparent.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

Thanks, Dick