Not sure if this is the correct thread area to post this, but here goes....Recently picked up a new to me airplane. Ferry pilot said the rudder needs trim. Since he is a guru in the this type of aircraft, he suggested that I get a piece of balsa wood, starting at 6"in length and 5/16" thick and stick to the rudder. Cut it down until the ball is center when hands off. Since finding an model aircraft shop in my neck of the woods is impossible, I was wondering if anyone on here might be a model plane builder and possibly have a short piece to sell me. Most places on line want a minimum order to mail it.

What I am looking for is a 5/16x 1 1/4 trailing edge piece like this:

www.nationalbalsa.com/products/51611436te

Only need roughly a 6" piece. They won't ship without a $50 order.

Couldn't you just do essentially the same thing with a piece of aluminum, start large and just keep trimming it with tin snips.

Yes sir, I had thought of doing that also. I actually have such a solution on a heavy wing, but in talking to the guy that helped with the pre-buy, he suggested not riveting to the rudder. He is the guy that told me to use the balsa glued to the rudder.

I wouldn't be over concerned with hard mounting you will most likely end up there anyway.

A friend of my upgraded to an 0-200 in his Chief and will be needing some rudder "assistance" or a gym membership for leg workouts.

Mapleflt wrote:Couldn't you just do essentially the same thing with a piece of aluminum, start large and just keep trimming it with tin snips.

That’s pretty much what I did on my Champ. Works great. I’ll grab a photo in the next couple of days. I would worry about the balsa wood being durable enough to stand up to even a small impact.

Pete

I agree that the balsa seems like it would get beat to crap pretty easily, but the ferry pilot is the area's 'go to guy' in regards to VANS line and he is the one that suggested it after I mentioned that I was going to use a piece of aluminum riveted and bent for centering the ball.

I ended up going to Hobby Lobby and getting a 1/4" x 1" x 36" rectangular strip of Basla. Made a makeshift jig to cut it and the required triangle shape. Will stick it on with double sided tape to test and can easily trim of a little at a time to get the skid ball centered. If it gets dinged, I can replace it easily enough. May eventually go to the prementioned aluminum piece if needed.

Not to hijack the thread , but we parked next to the Hobby Lobby corporate jet ferrying the Champ from FL to home. Funny thing is they fired that thing up while we were eating lunch. Ran out and got the Champ out of the way before they blew us off the ramp.

Anyway you can do an adjustable rudder trim system? I think it would be better than gluing a piece of wood on it.

This is my STC rudder trim for PA-22-20 Piper Pacer's

https://www.stevesaircraft.com/ruddertrimstc.php

--Brian

Hey Brian! I had contemplated looking into an adjustable rudder trim in the future, but currently I just want to get it flying hands off so I can build some time in it before taking another trip out west to visit Zach. I'm sure the next time I get out there I will stop in and pick your brain. Thanks for the heads up on your system, looks like something to consider.