NTSB Safety Alert CH 601

Bob Kuykendall wrote:
On Apr 19, 3:15 pm, "Morgans" wrote:

Does anyone know why there is no mass balancing (as
is common practice) on the ailerons, in the first place?

Mass balancing of ailerons may be common, but it is far from
universal. The majority of the Aeroncas and T-carts and high-wing
Pipers that are such a large part of the GA fleet do not have aileron
mass balancing.

Since mass balancing will often triple the mass of the surface to
which it is applied, it can have a serious effect on performance and
useful load.

Furthermore, even many fast (200 mph or so) airplanes that do have
mass-balanced ailerons are not 100% mass balanced. This category
includes Vans RV-series airplanes.

Thanks, Bob K.


Fair comments.... some aircraft use fractional balancing - in the 1/2 to
2/3 region as a weight-saving measure. A hinge line aft of the aileron
leading edge is another tactic.

Brian W