Rudder stability

[Joe Curtis]

I am in the process of rigging my S-1 and came across an article in the July/Aug/Sept '95 newsletter on rudder stability by Dave Wilcox. Per plans, the rudder cable attach points on the rudder horn are aft of the rudder hinge line resulting in negative static stability. If the attach points are moved even with or forward of the rudder hinge line it will achieve neutral stability, probably a good thing. Has anyone experimented with this? I will be using a control rod, not cables/springs, but wanted to get an opinion before I change my existing control horn attach setup (currently aft, per plans).

Joe

 

[soneraifred]

Hi Joe:
The configuration shown in the plans works well. If you are going to use the solid rod connection between the rudder horn and the tailwheel assembly, you'll find that you will have a little more steering angle in one direction than the other, but that's about all.