Gust lock

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Boatguy
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Re: Gust lock

Post by Boatguy »

CFIDave wrote: Thu Jan 06, 2022 4:53 pm On a Diamond twin, with the rudder pedals cabled simultaneously to both the rudder and nose gear steering, it's virtually impossible for the rudder to move on the ground (since the nose gear steering doesn't easily move with a stationary aircraft). So there's not much need for a gust lock to hold the rudder in a fixed position.

But there is a common need for the plane to be towed (and steered) by the FBO with a tug, which means no gust lock connected to the rudder pedals. All that's really wanted is a gust lock for the stick (to protect the ailerons and elevator from wind gusts). Maybe someone can invent something that will do just that. :scratch:
For Diamond twins, it's this the relevant issue? How to fix the elevator and ailerons in a neutral position?

The existing gust lock, once properly adjusted, will stabilize the ailerons. Maybe we need to turn the gust lock, or something like it, around and use the seat belt to pull it into the seat? The gust lock itself prevents the stick from going aft, which would lift the nose, and the seat belt prevents it from going forward which would lift the tail?
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