Elevator controls

Connecting the elevator pushrod was pretty easy. (I can't recall the last time I said anything on this project was easy!)

If you study the full-scale drawings Page A7 and A8, you'll notice that the elevator pushrod is made up of two links connected by a "quick disconnect". These two links are CS136 and CS102. I made CS102 and held off on CS136 until I could pass it through the instrument panel and cut it to exact length.

First step was to figure out where to make the cutout through the instrument panel so that the pushrod could pass through...

So I tied a string to the elevator bellcrank and pulled it tight to the pilot control stick. This showed me the exact waterline the elevator pushrod would pass through the instrument panel...

Using the full-scale plans A1 template, I measured the cutout...

And traced it onto the instrument panel...

Since the main control assembly bulkhead was in the way, I found it easier to cut it through the forward face... so I drilled out the four corners...

And then used my multi-tool to cut the rectangle out...

Then used a dremel to fine tune the cutout...

Having the cutout, I could now pass the pushrod through and cut CS136 to exact length. I then installed the pushrod, and tested it out. Worked great! Notice that the pushrod is aluminum (since it is located inside the fuselage, it does not need to be made of steel like the pushrods aft of the firewall), and so are the pushrod inserts (CS1-A).

I then made sure to remove enough foam on the fuselage sidewall so that I had full aileron control without the bottom control stick bolt touching. Also made sure the elevator pushrod cleared the instrument panel through full roll and elevator motion...