Aircraft Rigging – Control Operating Systems (Part Two)

in AERODYNAMICS, AIRCRAFT ASSEMBLY, AND RIGGING

Cable System Installation

Pulleys are used to guide cables and also to change the direction of cable movement. Pulley bearings are
sealed and need no lubrication other than the lubrication done at the factory. Brackets fastened to the
structure of the aircraft support the pulleys. Cables passing over pulleys are kept in place by guards. The
guards are close fitting to prevent

jamming or to prevent the cables from slipping off when they slacken due to temperature variations.
Pulleys should be examined to ensure proper lubrication; smooth rotation and freedom from abnormal
cable wear patterns which can provide an indication of other problems in the cable system. [Figure 2-73]

Figure 2-73. Pulley wear patterns.

Fairleads may be made from a nonmetallic material, such as phenolic, or a metallic material, such as soft
aluminum. The fairlead completely encircles the cable where it passes through holes in bulkheads or
other metal parts. Fairleads are used to guide cables in a straight line through or between structural
members of the aircraft. Fairleads should never deflect the alignment of a cable more than 3° from a
straight line.
Pressure seals are installed where cables (or rods) move through pressure bulkheads. The seal grips
tightly enough to prevent excess air pressure loss but not enough to hinder movement of the cable.
Pressure seals should be inspected at regular intervals to determine that the retaining rings are in place.
If a retaining ring comes off, it may slide along the cable and cause jamming of a pulley. [Figure 2-74]

Figure 2-74. Cable guides. [click image to enlarge]

Travel Adjustment

Control surfaces should move a certain distance in either direction from the neutral position. These
movements must be synchronized with the movement of the flight deck controls. The flight control
system must be adjusted (rigged) to obtain these requirements. The tools for measuring surface travel
primarily include protractors, rigging fixtures, contour templates, and rulers. These tools are used when
rigging flight control systems to assure that the desired travel has been obtained. Generally speaking,
the rigging consists of the following:

1. Positioning the flight control system in neutral and temporarily locking it there with rig pins or
blocks;

2. Adjusting system cable tension and maintaining rudder, elevator, and ailerons in the neutral
position; and

3. Adjusting the control stops to the aircraft manufacturer’s specifications.

Cable Tension

For the aircraft to operate as it was designed, the cable tension for the flight controls must be correct.
To determine the amount of tension on a cable, a tensiometer is used. When properly maintained, a
tensiometer is 98 percent accurate. Cable tension is determined by measuring the amount of force
needed to make an offset in the cable between two hardened steel blocks called anvils. A riser or
plunger is pressed against the cable to form the offset. Several manufacturers make a variety of
tensiometers, each type designed for different kinds of cable, cable sizes, and cable tensions. [Figure 2-
75]

Figure 2-75. Tensiometer.

Rigging Fixtures

Rigging fixtures and templates are special tools (gauges) designed by the manufacturer to measure
control surface travel. Markings on the fixture or template indicate desired control surface travel.

Tension Regulators

Cable tension regulators are used in some flight control systems because there is considerable
difference in temperature expansion of the aluminum aircraft structure and the steel control cables.
Some large aircraft incorporate tension regulators in the control cable systems to maintain a given cable
tension automatically. The unit consists of a compression spring and a locking mechanism that allows
the spring to make correction in the system only when the cable system is in neutral.

Turnbuckles
A turnbuckle assembly is a mechanical screw device consisting of two threaded terminals and a
threaded barrel. [Figure 2-76] Turnbuckles are fitted in the cable assembly for the purpose of making
minor adjustments in cable length and for adjusting cable tension. One of the terminals has right-hand
threads, and the other has left-hand threads. The barrel has matching right- and left-hand internal
threads. The end of the barrel with the left-hand threads can usually be identified by a groove or knurl
around that end of the barrel. When installing a turnbuckle in a control system, it is necessary to screw
both of the terminals an equal number of turns into the barrel. It is also essential that all turnbuckle
terminals be screwed into the barrel until not more than three threads are exposed on either side of the
turnbuckle barrel. After a turnbuckle is properly adjusted, it must be safetied. There are a number of
methods to safety a turnbuckle and/ or other types of swaged cable ends that are satisfactory. A double-
wrap safety wire method is preferred.

Figure 2-76. Typical turnbuckle assembly. [click image to enlarge]

Some turnbuckles are manufactured and designed to accommodate special locking devices. A typical
unit is shown in Figure 2-77.

Figure 2-77. Clip-type locking device and assembling in turnbuckle. [click image to enlarge]

Cable Connectors
In addition to turnbuckles, cable connectors are used in some systems. These connectors enable a cable
length to be quickly connected or disconnected from a system. Figure 2-78 illustrates one type of cable
connector in use.

Figure 2-78. Spring-type connector.

Spring-Back

With a control cable properly rigged, the flight control should hit its stops at both extremes prior to the
flight deck control. The spring-back is the small extra push that is needed for the flight deck control to
hit its mechanical stop.

Push Rods (Control Rods)

Push rods are used as links in the flight control system to give push-pull motion. They may be adjusted at
one or both ends. Figure 2-79 shows the parts of a push rod. Notice that it consists of a tube with
threaded rod ends. An adjustable antifriction rod end, or rod end clevis, attaches at each end of the
tube. The rod end, or clevis, permits attachment of the tube to flight control system parts. The checknut,
when tightened, prevents the rod end or clevis from loosening. They may have adjustments at one or
both ends.

Figure 2-79. Push rod. [click image to enlarge]

It is possible for control rods fitted with bearings to become disconnected because of failure of the
peening that retains the ball races in the rod end. This can be avoided by installing the control rods so
that the flange of the rod end is interposed between the ball race and the anchored end of the attaching
pin or bolt as shown in Figure 2-80.

Figure 2-80. Attached rod end.

Another alternative is to place a washer, having a larger diameter than the hole in the flange, under the
retaining nut on the end of the attaching pin or bolt. This retains the rod on the bolt in the event of a
bearing failure.

Torque Tubes

Where an angular or twisting motion is needed in a control system, a torque tube is installed. Figure 2-
81 shows how a torque tube is used to transmit motion in opposite directions. [Figure 2-81]
Figure 2-81. Torque tube.

Cable Drums

Cable drums are used primarily in trim tab systems. As the trim tab control wheel is moved clockwise or
counterclockwise, the cable drum winds or unwinds to actuate the trim tab cables. [Figure 2-82]
Figure 2-82. Trim tab cable drum. [click image to enlarge]