Sonex elevator trim tab

[mike.smith]

I received my airworthiness certificate yesterday on Sonex #439 (plans-built) - yay!

The only comment/question my DAR had was about how the standard Sonex elevator trim tab cable was attached to the trim tab. The plans just call for a "z-bend" in the wire. What we found is the cable can actually go through the hole (further up the cable; not in the direction of detaching from the tab) if the trim tab gets enough force on it. That puts the trim tab in a full-down position, that will not clear itself. I have to agree it's a tenuous connection.

Has anyone done something different? I'm cognizant that we don't want to be adding a bunch of weight to the trim tab.

Thanks,
Mike Smith

[N1906R]

Mike

Congratulations on your airworthiness cert.

On my trim tab the i went as per plans but I took a lot of pictures and this one was from Oshkosh. You can see the hole was enlarged and the same cable pivot used on the brakes was used on the tab. I was going to drill mine for this but found the hole was to close to the edge to be enlarged that much and I would have needed to make a new tab. Maybe someday but I've had no issues with mine the way it is so far. I hope this helps.

Keeps us informed on your first flight.

[mike.smith]

Thanks for the photo. I have one of those pivots lying around, and I thought of that. I may take a look and see if that would work on mine. That seems like the lightest solution.

Mike