Citabria elevator pulsing

[Bob Turner]

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.

 

[aftCG]

Never had a hint of flutter, and I've had a few "interesting" rides in turbulence.

 

[Slipinonfinal]

Next suspect would be a loose or multiple loose tail fly wires. Worth checking! Should also be done at every pre-flight.

 

[aftCG]

Next suspect would be a loose or multiple loose tail fly wires. Worth checking! Should also be done at every pre-flight.

I was taught to give them all a pluck during preflight, like a bass string. Get used to what a good one sounds like so you recognize anything odd.

Top and bottom sound different but should be identical side to side.

 

[D.grimm]

I had this on a Pacer once, elevator cables weren’t tensioned to spec. As soon as I tightened them up it went away.
Dave