11.3 Flight Control Surfaces Balancing

Question 1

why should a control surface be balanced ?

Answer 1

helps to eliminate any flutter and to assist the flight crew to operate the controls during flight manoeuvres

Question 2

what are the most common methods of balancing?

Answer 2

aerodynamic horn balancing
mass balancing

Question 3

what is aerodynamic horn balancing ?

Answer 3

when a portion of control surface is extended out ahead of the hinge line to assist in the airflow of an aircraft and moving the control surface

Question 4

what is mass (static) balancing?

Answer 4

accomplished by adding weights to the leading edge of the control. this moves the CofG

Question 5

when should a control surface be rebalanced?

Answer 5

after a repair or repaint

Question 6

How is mass (static) balancing done ?

Answer 6

Adding prescribed weights to the leading edge of a control surface
Control surface is balanced on a jig where a known mass is moved along a graduated scale using a spirit level. The weight must be a certain distance to achieve stability