Citabria elevator pulsing

[colliseumj]

One of my buddies reports a pulsing in the stick in turbulence. Says it feels like the beginning of flutter. I haven't flown the bird recently - 160 GCAA of about 2003 vintage. Anybody here ever experience that? I did check the trim tab; seems tight and secure.

 

[Cowboys Air Ranch 84ME]

Howdy,

Maybe just a little play in the elevator linkage or cables. In my Citabria 7ECA, I do feel a little bumping in turbulence when there is no load on the controls.

My bird will need some work at annual in February, but AI says it is fine for now. I would get it checked out anyway.

Ken "COWBOY" Winiarski
Cowboys Air Ranch (84ME)

 

[Bartman]

One of my buddies reports a pulsing in the stick in turbulence. Says it feels like the beginning of flutter. I haven't flown the bird recently - 160 GCAA of about 2003 vintage. Anybody here ever experience that? I did check the trim tab; seems tight and secure.

Reach in and grab the front stick and hold it, grab the other stick and see how much play there is between the two. There are various bushings, bolts, and stuff that connect the two sticks assemblies together which are subject to wear. Remove the play and the control authority will feel much better.

There is a spec for weighing Super D elevators after fabric and paint so that they remain balanced. Not sure if there is a similar spec for the other aircraft but it would be in the service manual.

 

[Big Ed]

Check elevator cable tension.