Mr_Waffles
New member
I did an left aileron roll towards the end of my practice session today in my 2004 8KCAB and had a strange experience.
The roll went fine for ~270 deg then with ~90 deg remaining the stick got a little heavy in my hand and the roll rate slowed considerably down, to the point that I felt myself move in the seat a little. I had completed several other rolls earlier without issue.
I did a quick controls check afterward and everything felt okay, but ended the session and RTB'd with no further issue nonetheless. Post-flight inspection showed nothing strange and full control movement. Spades looked fine. I checked for impediments on the rear stick but the front seat back pocket was empty and I could get the rear stick to snag even when I tried. Rear seatbelt and harness secured and stowed so no chance it interacted with the rear stick.
I did install a GoPro on the left wing strut about a foot outboard of the sighting device; unsure if that would affect or why it would only affect at the end of the roll. Watching the video back I don't notice any shakes on the camera or surfaces, but the roll rate decrease is visually noticeable.
Wondering if it was a matter of me incorrectly performing the maneuver, or if I should be concerned about control surfaces?
Notes:
The roll went fine for ~270 deg then with ~90 deg remaining the stick got a little heavy in my hand and the roll rate slowed considerably down, to the point that I felt myself move in the seat a little. I had completed several other rolls earlier without issue.
I did a quick controls check afterward and everything felt okay, but ended the session and RTB'd with no further issue nonetheless. Post-flight inspection showed nothing strange and full control movement. Spades looked fine. I checked for impediments on the rear stick but the front seat back pocket was empty and I could get the rear stick to snag even when I tried. Rear seatbelt and harness secured and stowed so no chance it interacted with the rear stick.
I did install a GoPro on the left wing strut about a foot outboard of the sighting device; unsure if that would affect or why it would only affect at the end of the roll. Watching the video back I don't notice any shakes on the camera or surfaces, but the roll rate decrease is visually noticeable.
Wondering if it was a matter of me incorrectly performing the maneuver, or if I should be concerned about control surfaces?
Notes:
- Flying solo with 3/4 tanks, no WT/CG concerns
- Clean air with no bumps, ~6.3k ft AGL
- Method:
- Nose over about 20 deg for 140 mph IAS
- Pull to level at ~ 3 G's
- Pull to feet at horizon
- Full left aileron
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