Monarch forward facing rudder tube?

[themonarch]

Hi Butterfly guys, how are you all? Well I hope. My question today is what is the function of the capped aluminium pipe that projects forward from the rudder. It's about 20 in. long and mine is at the btm point of the rudder while later designs show this projectile to be towards the top of the rudder. Whats it's supposed to accomplish? I don't plan on taking it off just wondering why it is there. I want to know better my aircraft as I approach licensing, and eventually I know I will. In the meantime you good folks can tell me, so please help with your advise. Sincerely yours, MJD.

[Timchick]

I believe it's a counter weight but can't remember its' purpose.

[Passin' Thru]

My question today is what is the function of the capped aluminium pipe that projects forward from the rudder.

Mass balance to counter rudder flutter. That tube probably has a chunk of lead or brass inside it to place some weight on an arm opposite the rudder across the hinge line.
:yo:
.
Edit: Tim, you type faster than me!:lol:

[Alan_Cheatham]

Yes, it's a mass balance weight to reduce flutter. Even with the balance weight, aerodynamic balance tab on trailing edge of rudder and added tension springs, Dragonfly (which uses a Butterfly tail) will still wag it's tail if you take your feet off of the rudder pedals. Snap a rudder cable in flight and you would be in serious trouble from the instability.

.

[Kingchocolate]

I don't have the tab and it does not flutter when I take my feet of the rudder pedals. I have a monarch.