GBA accident investigation

[ptope]

I have been asked by the factory, to post a little update on what they are doing with the accident that happened in florida. The factory has been all over this accident. They are actively investigating this accident for mechanical failure and will advise owners as soon as they know something. They have already sent out postings to the sparrowhawk owners on things to look for. They dont know yet what caused this accident but it was basically a list of things to go over in detail on every preflight. If you are an owner and didnt get this then email dan banks at GBA. I am told that the factory is also actively involved with the investigation with the NTSB and have dispatched reps to assist with the investigation. Thats about all i have, and ill add more when i know something more. till then do very good preflights and let the factory know if anything looks unusual. They really do want a good safe product and will do everything in their power to make that happen.

[Aussie_Paul]

Thanks Patrick.

Aussie Paul.

[StanFoster]

Patrick: GBA has been very excellent with communicating with me. They want to continually improve their product and are listening to all us that throw our suggestions their way.

Stan

[ptope]

Stan we are looking at remounting our electric trim also. could you email me some pictures of what you did? Thanks, Patrick

ptope@comcast.net

[ptope]

i know we recieved a call from the factory and was asking for any suggestions as to what may have caused this.. they are looking at all possibilities right now and want the input from the builders...

[StanFoster]

Patrick: I will send some pictures tonight. What I did was real simple. That u-shaped bracket that was attached to the tail support tube was cut in half. I bolted each half down on the engine support crossbar. The chains were lengthened to 18 links in my case..and reinstalled. It works fine. I am however not done. I am going to put a safety cable near the top of these two chains. Should a chain break near the top ..it has enough length to get into the prop. So if is put a little cable between the two and attach it so it has full range of movement ....then it wont get into the prop.

I feel it is very unlikely this would occur...but you have to cover most situations especially as simple as this one is. Its just like my pre-rotator is safety cabled both top and bottom as well.

Stan

[StanFoster]

Patrick: Here are some pictures of my relocated electric trim. I could have used a swaged cable...and may someday change to that anyway. I am going to safety cable these chains so that they cant reach the propeller.

Stan

[Aussie_Paul]

Two springs in parrallell set up like the Bensen style for pitch, that way if one breaks you only lose half of the tension, and one set up for roll.

If the pre rotator has a tendancy to pull the head one way I place the adjustable roll trim spring on the opposite side, connected approx 3" out from the U block. If the is no tendancy for roll caused by pre rotators etc, I place a light spring on one side of the U block approx 3" out and the adjustable trim spring on the other side, 3" out from the U block. That way the roll trim does not affect the pitch trim tension.

Just my 2 cents of over kill probably. I have this phobia of non commanded pitch excursions !!!!

Aussie Paul.

[Coen]

Paul
How would one go about modifying a rotorhead like the one on a SH/RAF to be trimmed in the way you discribe, i can understand what you do and it seems to be better. But cant figure out where the side trim spring would be mounted.
Thanks Coen.