9/22/23 – 2.1h
9/29/23 – 1.2h
The bellcrank-to-aileron pushrod installation is the final step in the aileron control system. The installation includes the final aileron rigging step to ensure the pushrod is the correct length to set the aileron to the neutral position when the bellcrank is in the neutral position. The pushrod is initially set to 25 1/4" between the center of the bearings at each end of the rod. That distance is adjustable by simply threading the rod end bearings in or out on the threaded rod ends. Once the distance to correctly align the aileron is dialed in, the jam nut is tightened against the rod end to hold everything in place.

Van's updated the plans in December 2020 with a new method of aligning the aileron. Previously, Van's supplied a template piece (W-00026 Alignment Template) that was placed over the outboard aileron rib to align the aileron with the wing skin. That method was improved in the RV-10, and the improvement was incorporated into the RV-14. Essentially, the W-00026 Alignment Template is no longer used to align the aileron, but don't throw it away since it is used several times later in the build! The new method uses the W-730 bellcrank alignment jig to set the neutral position of the bellcrank. Then, the flap is placed in its full up position and the aileron trailing edge is aligned with the flap trailing edge. I found that the initial 25 1/4" length set on each of the pushrods was slightly long, and ended up shortening each rod by 2-3 full turns of the bearing ends.

Finally, after all of the internal systems in the wings were installed, I final-torqued everything in preparation for installation of the bottom wing skins.
[Torque Wrench (in-lbs), 1/4" and 3/8” Sockets]