Turn and bank indicator issue

Timbeck2

Timbeck2

Final Approach
Joined
Nov 4, 2015
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9,238
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Vail, Arizona
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Timbeck2
The ball is centered on the right line in straight and level flight and even when the aircraft is on a level surface sitting on the ground. Is there an adjustment or do I need to have it overhauled?

I have a rudder trim but if I trim it in flight to center the ball, the plane wants to dive and roll to the right.

It seems its alwaaaaaays sumthin'. :sigh:
 
Hey you know that pic of those two planes on the other thread? Uh huh.
 
If the ball is out when sitting on level ground with perfect landing gear.........then just loosen the three or four bolts that hold the instrument and turn it level.
 
Without showing ALL of my ignorance...there are four screws (maybe two, I remember there was one instrument of the eight that only had two) that hold it to the panel. I'm assuming you don't mean those screws because if I turn it, the holes won't line up.
 
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The holes should be slots, not round holes. Pull the plastic fascia off and see.
 
Yeah, I was thinking slots too just for this purpose. Or you could use those planes.
 
The slots may be on the instrument itself because they aren't in the panel. But if they are there and I made the adjustment, would that make it not level to the eye? If so it would bug me every time I looked at it.

See what you did? You made me show all of my ignorance. I'm so ashamed. :oops:
 
I think a light bulb just came on...twice actually. Full disclosure: I took all the instruments out briefly enough to install Nulites in the panel. Not realizing the slots (that may or may not be there but more than likely are) in that instrument, I screwed the Nulites on without centering the ball. I don't exactly remember when I noticed the ball wasn't centered but I think I may correlate that installation of the Nulites with the de-centering of the ball.
 
loading the gun...

What? You're gonna have to wine and dine me to be in my will.

But then again, at least you'd know what needs to be fixed. :)
 
C'mon us old Air Force controllers gotta stick together.
 
your a+p sighed off on your work, without looking at the ball? you are savvy enough to wire in a whole panel of newlights and not know all steam gauge panels have elongated holes for above-mentioned reasons? something is wrong.
 
A lot of single engine, right turning propeller airplanes fly slightly "left wing low". It has to do with propeller effect. What the plane does is, if you fly in a straight line, and have the ball centered, the left wing is slightly low. Bring the low wing up with the aileron and you turn. Bring the low wing up with the rudder and the ball goes to right of center. How much it does this depends on the angle of attack the airplane is flying at due to the load the plane is carrying and speed the plane is going. Im not saying ALL planes do this, but many do. To some extent, its unavoidable. The reason is propellers are not symmetrical thrust devices. You can try and get rid of it by adjusting the wings. Just make sure you record your changes because you will probably want to put it back to the way it was. Unless something has happened, like someone adjusted it or there was an accident, the factory got it as good as it can get....(usually). Sometimes it can be improved. Good luck!
 
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Flying where you have water as a horizon and compare the horizon on your instruments to the airplane lined up with the water horizon is the best way to test the instrument correctness to the horizon.
 
hotprops said:
your a+p sighed off on your work, without looking at the ball? you are savvy enough to wire in a whole panel of newlights and not know all steam gauge panels have elongated holes for above-mentioned reasons? something is wrong.
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I guess he didn't notice and at the time it wasn't sitting on a level surface. And my panel doesn't have ONE elongated hole as is the case with most of my steam gauges. The instrument in question did however and I fixed it this morning. Easiest fix I ever did so far.
 
How to install a turn coordinator:

1. Place level across seat tracks or cabin floor.
2. Place jack under low wing and level airplane.
3. Install turn coordinator with ball centered between the line.
4. Tighten screws.
 
Norman said:
How to install a turn coordinator:

1. Place level across seat tracks or cabin floor.
2. Place jack under low wing and level airplane.
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Or let some of the air out of the tire on the high side. Quicker than getting out the jacks and jackpoints and all that. Don't forget to put the air back in.
 
Jacks are quicker with wheel pants. I got it done and am wiser for the experience. Thanks to all with the advice.
 
ircphoenix said:
No no. He was right the first time. :D

Wtf are nulites?
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I'll overlook the obvious slam and ask, does your Cherokee have factory panel lighting? Mine didn't. The only instruments that were lit was the magnetic compass and the VOR plus the really dim red overhead light. I had that flashlight looking thing that looked like Piper bought them WWII surplus and installed them on the left pillar.

You have the link for Nulites. If you have the means and/or necessity, I highly recommend you pick some up.
 
Timbeck2 said:
I'll overlook the obvious slam and ask, does your Cherokee have factory panel lighting? Mine didn't. The only instruments that were lit was the magnetic compass and the VOR plus the really dim red overhead light. I had that flashlight looking thing that looked like Piper bought them WWII surplus and installed them on the left pillar.

You have the link for Nulites. If you have the means and/or necessity, I highly recommend you pick some up.
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Don't tell me what to do. You're not the boss of me!

My two VORs are lit up. Otherwise just the overhead light thingy.

I'm mechanically inept. And it looks like there are wires, potentiometers, and difficult things to figure out. They look super nice though!

Also, I expect more from you. No overlooking slams. You return fire or you're not the Timbeck2 that I know!
 
Tell you what. You buy them, fly it to Tucson and I'll help you put them in. I'll even screw up your turn and bank so you can experience the head scratching good time that I had. And as an added bonus, I'll fart in your plane, no extra charge.
 
Timbeck2 said:
Tell you what. You buy them, fly it to Tucson and I'll help you put them in. I'll even screw up your turn and bank so you can experience the head scratching good time that I had. And as an added bonus, I'll fart in your plane, no extra charge.
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THERE HE IS!

I'm gonna be in Phoenix in November, Inshallah. Maybe I'll bring them over to Tuks On and force you to help.

I'll give you a dollar to NOT fart in my plane. kthx.
 
Timbeck2 said:
I'll overlook the obvious slam and ask, does your Cherokee have factory panel lighting? Mine didn't. The only instruments that were lit was the magnetic compass and the VOR plus the really dim red overhead light. I had that flashlight looking thing that looked like Piper bought them WWII surplus and installed them on the left pillar.

You have the link for Nulites. If you have the means and/or necessity, I highly recommend you pick some up.
Click to expand...

Those are pretty neat. Another thing I found useful for night flying is to memorize all your switch positions, and be able to find them by feel. My RV is pretty easy...a row of seven identical toggles along the bottom, plus master & alt field to the upper left. I could always turn on the cabin lights, but I prefer not to, as then I have to re-acclimate to the darkness.

I fly with the lights on all the time (with the exception of cabin lights, of course), so the only switch I routinely need to access is the fuel boost pump to the far right.
 

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