Promising Flight Control Dampening....

[RayS]

For years I have searched for a good flight control dampening solution to take the 'bounce' and 'freeplay' out of the flight control system.

I think I found it.

There's a company called Airpot (Airpot.com) that offers pneumatic dampeners in various shapes and sizes.

I ordered a sample and although it is small, it is promising.

I've tried numerous solutions, including motorcycle steering dampers (Which is the best I have seen so far) but the problems of break-force are still present.

These pneumatic dampers eliminate those issues. Zero break-force required, smooth operation if you are smooth on the controls, offering just the right amount of control forces and more resistance if you try to 'yank and bank'.

Above all, they are adjustable from "zero force" to "The controls seem to be locked". It's a painfully simple solution but the best I've seen for damping flight controls.

Check 'em out!

[bernard S]

this has my attention  prey tell once your done   i am thinking linked anti g system  and control loading ?

[sagrada737]

Ray,

I agree that these pneumatic dampers are promising...   I have been using a "self-centering" gas dampener together with dual springs, which is working quite nicely.  The springs by themselves are too "bouncy", and the gas dampener does have a slight break-away force that is able to be felt when moving the Yoke and/or Control Column.   The low friction aspect on the AirPot device might be a good alternative.

I know that with Boeing's Control Loader mechanism, it uses a Cam type device, but I found it hard to replicate.  Maybe this is a solution...

Mike

[RayS]

I'll keep everyone apprised. I spoke with their engineers last week and spec'd out what I think might work.

The custom device will run me $390, which, in retrospect, I've probably spent more than that just researching and prototyping my own contraptions that didn't work.

[bernard S]

I spoke as well   i love it when I tell them baby talk me through this   I am sold  on it   as I understand its kinda like poor man's control loading

[MistyBlue]

I heard "poor man's control loading" and my ears perked up, haha.  Interested how this works for you.

[bernard S]

I have the buggers paying me a visit   this is what happens when you are cooler than Elvis suppliers wanna see ;-) but it will be in new year as I have some chaps coming to help remove rig

[MistyBlue]

Fun!  Keep us posted

[RayS]

I had the thought of attaching a servo to the air valve that controls the amount of resistance according to how fast you are going. Now you've got a great control-loading system if you can pull it off.