Original Posted By: Rick Holland
Rick,The earlier F&G Manual plans do not include the safety strap, likely because the aileron drive cables were attached to the rear control stick about 6" above the torque tube and ran down to the lower longerons, and out along the rear lift struts. This imposed a downward load on the torque tube, tending to keep it in position.The later drawings by Orrin Hoopman show the aileron drive cables attached to a vee-type crank welded to the torque tube about halfway along its length. Since these cables travel upward to the center section, they impose an upward force on the torque tube. A failure of the front torque tube attachment could allow the torque tube to swing upward, slackening the aileron drive cables. Presumably, the safety strap would hold the torque tube down enough to maintain some aileron control.When I built my Air Camper 35 years ago, I installed the "safety strap" according to the Hoopman plans. I had, and still have,a suspicion that there was a good reason for it being shown on the later plans, and would recommend using it.Graham Hansen (Pietenpol CF-AUN)________________________________________________________________________________Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2005 21:01:31 -0700