SonexBuilders.net

Has anyone tried to eliminate the rudder return springs (ONX-C01-03) on a conventional gear Onex? I am still building but the springs seem to be unnecessary to me. They look like standard 'screen door' springs from the hardware store. They seem unwieldly and will just get in the way. Why are they there? Is there a flutter issue here? I would like to hear from anyone who has flown a conventional gear Onex. Thanks. John Onex 0179

I left mine off my Waiex. I haven't flown it yet. In my opinion, the purpose of rudder springs is to keep the cables tight. Leaving your feet on the pedals does the same thing.

Onex pedals unlike the Sonex are hinged from the bottom. Without the springs, what is there to prevent the pedals from flopping flat onto the floor?

Hi Onex buiders,
I kept the springs and made the LH spring a little shorter to introduce some rudder trim, works well and the cables are slightly tensioned which should protect them from unnecessary wear as well. (I can fly feet on the floor in cruise with the ball centered)

Happy new year to all of you,

sonex892. wrote:Onex pedals unlike the Sonex are hinged from the bottom. Without the springs, what is there to prevent the pedals from flopping flat onto the floor?

I didn't know. Seems like the springs would be more important.

OK. Thanks, guys for all your good help. It looks like the rudder springs are needed. What would be the optimum tension for the rudder cables? Could I 'fine tune' the tension by using an eye bolt through the firewall at the points where the springs are supposed to attach and attach the spring to the eye bolt. This might serve as a rudder trim adjustment also. What do you think?

Perhaps having spring tension for rudder trim is useful.

On my Sonex when one spring broke I removed the other one and flew that way for years. I never noticed any difference.