One of the items in my newly purchased PA-12 that has already given me some thought is the flap lever. As you can see from the picture, it's really quite long. At the end of the flap lever, where the push button is located, is basically damn-near passed the heel-brake. Makes it quite uncomfortable to detach the flaps on landing. Would love to do something about this, by either installing a shorter flap lever or just plain ole moving the flap lever to be above the head. Seems to me like relocating the flap lever to be above the head would be something that would be more of a process, which I'd be better off having done when the fabric is changed. Are there any sort of shorter levers that I'd be able to install here rather easily? Which STC's should I be looking for?

Would something like this https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/ ... ezflap.php fit? Or even be allowed? I suppose more info on the current mods would be needed to make an educated opinion. Totally open to questions!

Rather new at this whole modification thing, sorry for my ignorance.

Get into the habit of applying 1/2 flaps during you run up. Depending on how many notches you have this may be on or two. Now the handle will be easy to reach if you want to add some during takeoff. You don't have to reach all the way to the end of the handle to move it, just grab anywhere and lift the button the end is only to release the lock for lowering flaps. Once you are on the bottom notch once released just slide you hand down the handle as you lower it. Go get some Motrin because MOREBETTERDISEASE fever is starting to kick in DENNY

It's the way they've always been. Guys much better than us never complained. Don't need any bolt on stuff. If you want it overhead, buy a carbon cub.

Do like Denny said and click on the first notch before you takeoff, then it's within easy reach for any fancy flapwork during the takeoff. In fact, that works for Cessnas too.

There are definitely cubs out there with shorter flap handles. This will make it more difficult to pull the flaps on due to the decrease in lever arm. However, with the standard handle in the full flap position, it is often not possible to apply full left aileron because of the left leg getting trapped between the stick and the flap handle. A shorter handle has the advantage of allowing your left leg to clear the top of the handle rather than getting pinned.

Squash wrote:There are definitely cubs out there with shorter flap handles. This will make it more difficult to pull the flaps on due to the decrease in lever arm. However, with the standard handle in the full flap position, it is often not possible to apply full left aileron because of the left leg getting trapped between the stick and the flap handle. A shorter handle has the advantage of allowing your left leg to clear the top of the handle rather than getting pinned.

Yeah, it definitely pins the top of my left leg, that's for sure. I really dislike having to reach all the way down to lower that last notch of flaps as well. For now, it's totally fine, but just something to note for myself going further as something I'd eventually like to modify.

A lot of folks shortened the stock lever on 18s. This was done with a field approval.

There are ports of them out there. Talk to your IA and have him talk to the FAA. You MAY be able to get it done via FA. But I doubt it.

I’ve flown several that had the handle shortened, and I universally hated that mod. As Squash noted, it can be a bitch to get full flaps down, you lose a lot of leverage. I’d never do this.

Just follow Denny’s advice.

MTV

mtv wrote:A lot of folks shortened the stock lever on 18s. This was done with a field approval.

I’ve flown several that had the handle shortened, and I universally hated that mod.

MTV

Thanks for the info. I guess it's one of those things that ya really don't know if you'll like it more until you've tried it. I can say it's very easy for me to lower the flaps with the longer lever. The leg pin and raising the last notch are the downfalls though.

Just pay close attention in left crosswinds. In those, the right rudder is the workhorse. I sometimes get my left foot off the pedal in a big left x-wind. I know, shame on me….

MTV