The Flight Controls Category consists of the components and sub-components outlined below.  More detailed construction photos and discussion are included for selected items.

• Flight Controls:
  • Aileron
  • Aileron Trim
  • Elevator
  • Elevator Trim
  • Rudder
  • Rudder Trim
  • Flaps
  • Speed Brakes
  • Side-Stick

Aileron and Aileron Trim

Ailerons: The ailerons are flight control surfaces located on the rear outboard edge of the wings and are used to control roll (i.e. to bank and turn).   The Lancair ES Ailerons come pre-assembled and are constructed of carbon fiber.  The builder has to balance the ailerons by adding lead weights.
Aileron Controls: The ailerons are controlled via push-pull tubes connected to the side-sticks controls.  The pilot and co-pilot controls are connected under the front seats.   The push-pull tubes then extend through the front (leading) edge of the wing to a bell crank in-front of the ailerons.  The builder has to build these tubes from parts and materials included with the kit.
Aileron Trim: Aileron trim is controlled by a small trim tab on the left side aileron.  The tab is actuated by an electrical Ray Allen trim motor (servo) located in the Aileron.

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Elevator and Elevator Trim

Elevator: The elevators are flight control surfaces on the back (trailing) edge of the horizontal stabilizer and are used to control pitch.   The are constructed similar to the wing and horizontal stabilizer (as a pre-assembled internal structure and permanently bonded skins.   The skins are carbon fiber.  Similar to the ailerons, the elevators are mass balanced using lead counterweights.
Elevator Controls: The elevators are controlled with push-pull tubes connected to the side-sticks. The pilot and co-pilot controls are connected under/behind the rear seats.  The push/pull tubes then continue back to the elevator thought the luggage and equipment bay areas. F
Elevator Trim The elevator trim is controlled by a trim tab on the left elevator.  The Trim tab is actuated by a Ray Allen trim motor (servo) in the left elevator.

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Rudder and Rudder Trim

Rudder: The rudder components (skin and structure) is initially supplied as part of the vertical stabilizer (since Lancair molds them together as one piece).  They are cut apart as part of the build process.
Rudder Controls: The rudders are controlled by cables which are attached to the rudder pedals and run through tubes in the fuselage wall. On the standard design, the cables exit the fuselage back by the rudder and attache to external rudder control horns.  Lancair offers an optional internal rudder control design, which includes a two sided bell crank mechanism and short push/pull tubes which replace the external part of the std. cables and are housed inside the fuselage.
Rudder Trim Rudder trim is an option on the ES.  The rudder trim is controlled by a trim tab on the rudder. The tab is

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Flaps

Flaps The Lancair ES flaps are actualted by an electrical motor and worm gear located under the rear seats.

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Speed Brakes

Speed Brakes Lancair offers speed brakes as an option for the ES.  The speed brakes are located in "pockets" built into the wing.  I was initially undecided on whether to get the optional speed brakes, but I decided to add/build the pockets regardless, since they are much harder to add later.

Lancair ES Speed Brake Pocket1 Initial decoded area of the internal wing skin based on a template of the speed brake box (shown in photo)
Lancair ES Speed Brake Pocket2 Marking the exterior hole for the speed brake based on the template (shown in the photo)
Lancair ES Speed brake Pocket3 Completed hole in the wing skin or the speed brake.  Note: the inner and outer hole are different size, which will become the flange.

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Side Sticks

Side Sticks: The ailerons and elevators are controlled with short side sticks located on/in the pilot and co-pilot arm rests.  Although a relatively new design concept, the sticks are actually quit natural/intuitive to use and free up all the space normally occupied by a yoke or traditional control stick.

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