Dial a trim

[jrs]

I would also be very interested in information about your solution. Just started working on my panel today so this thread is very timely for me.

[Rynoth]

For what it's worth, and I'm only 18 hours into my Phase 1, but other than tinkering with my trim the first couple flights I haven't adjusted my dial-a-trim a single time since. I could imagine making some minuscule tweaks during a long cross country, but through phases of flight (slow/fast/flaps) I've felt no need to make trim adjustments. Personally I would consider electronic trim in my Waiex overkill. It's very different in terms of (lack of) trim adjustments needed to any other plane I've flown and I'm practically religious in my constant use of trim in those other planes.

[T41pilot]

Yup Ryan. I've seen a couple of posts that indicated that trim hasn't been used much which is great and one less thing to have to deal with when flying. But since I'm in the building stage, I think I would still like to install a trim system just to have it available in lieu of not having one at all just in case. When I built my Panel, I decided against the Big Red knob and installed a rocker switch for elevator trim so I've already committed myself. I won't feel bad if it doesn't get used much. If I do it right, It won't add much weight. I agree on flying other aircraft. I used the trim a lot when I used to fly my T41. Old ideas are hard for old timers to get rid of sometimes.

[DCASonex]

Don't overlook the original Sonex trim lever. That is so quick and easy to use that I would never convert to the Dial-a-Trim. When landing and put down first stage of flaps, I flip the lever full nose up, and leave it there until finished. Set it back to center before takeoff. Not at all over sensitive when adjusting for level cruise flight.

David A.

[jowens]

I agree with David, I have had great luck with the original trim tab and lever. I don't believe it is an option for a waiex.

[pfhoeycfi]

I'm putting the dial a trim in my Sonex B. The plans call for connecting the down spring to the channel just below the flap torque tube, the other end to the elev push rod. The problem is is that the torque tube is in the way...so if you connect the spring to the channel and the other side to elev push rod, the sprint has to bend around the torque tube (making contact to about 1/4 the circumference of the torque tube). All my parts are in the right place.

I'm curious if any B builders with Dial a trim see the same problem and if so, did you secure the end of the spring somewhere other than where the plans indicate?

peter

[SonAl]

Quick question for those with the manual trim lever: where did you source your cable to the trim tab from? I can’t find the cable/wire that is called out on the plans on the Aircraft Spruce website.

Thanks.
Al Arbuckle

[sonex892.]

Quick question for those with the manual trim lever: where did you source your cable to the trim tab from? I can’t find the cable/wire that is called out on the plans on the Aircraft Spruce website.

Thanks.
Al Arbuckle

I bought a length of replacement tubing from a bicycle store they had it on a roll and cut it to length. The wire is just piano wire about 1.5mm dia. Ebay is where I bought some replacement wire.

[WesRagle]

Hi Al,

I got the "music wire" at McMaster Carr. The housing from Amazon.

Ref:http://sonexbuilders.net/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4358&p=37340&hilit=Manual+trim+for+a+Onex#p38190

Good Luck,

Wes

[Spaceman]

I'm putting the dial a trim in my Sonex B. The plans call for connecting the down spring to the channel just below the flap torque tube, the other end to the elev push rod. The problem is is that the torque tube is in the way...so if you connect the spring to the channel and the other side to elev push rod, the sprint has to bend around the torque tube (making contact to about 1/4 the circumference of the torque tube). All my parts are in the right place.

I'm curious if any B builders with Dial a trim see the same problem and if so, did you secure the end of the spring somewhere other than where the plans indicate?

peter

I ran into the exact same thing! Here are some pictures of what I did to get around it:
https://paegelow.blogspot.com/2019/12/t ... tem-3.html