Thread: Flap delay

On the subject of flaps. Sometimes when I put down the flap increments...there is a delay before the flaps go down. I know that it has to do with not having reached the maximum speed for the flaps to lower - but is that bad for the flaps motor/mechanisms? It happens most often in the pattern when I am concentrating on 10,000 other things while doing the flaps too.

Robin

Hi John,

If you are going too fast then what ever flap setting the motor is trying to achieve is working against all that force. I would either slow down more or don't use that flap setting until the speed bleeds. I have mental markers for my speeds and unless I'm at that speed there just isn't going to be a flap change.

Note*
Talked to your mechanic the other night.

Roger,

it is a quick and easy adjustment, no need to slow down beyond the max flap speeds

Howdy Ed,

Happy New Year!

He's not tripping it out just overloading the motor. The motor is not strong enough to over come high speeds and flap deployment.

John:

Not sure I am following your problem quite right yet. You mention this problem is happening when you are in the pattern (I assume staying in the pattern doing landing practice). What airspeeds are you flying downwind etc at? Concentrate on keeping the speed below Vy 78 knots and 0 flaps, and you should never have an issue. Climb out, crosswind to downwind... no need to get going any faster than 78. Stay in the white arc (flap operating speeds) on the dial.

Yes. You will have a problem with motor burnout, bent actuator arms, and control issues if you continue to operate your airplane out of the tolerances specified in the AOI. Just relax, slow down, and enjoy the process. Landings are the fun part of flying the CT.

Regards,
Scott Johnson
Chief Instructor, LSA North

Originally Posted by Roger Lee

Howdy Ed,

Happy New Year!

He's not tripping it out just overloading the motor. The motor is not strong enough to over come high speeds and flap deployment.

oops, your right roger. happy new year to you too

Ok - I can deploy 15 flaps at 80 kts or less and 30 and 40 flaps at 62kts or less, and deploying at speeds higher than those recommended kts can damage the motor, etc. I think when the delay happens I have not reduced my speed enough for the flap setting deployed. I will watch that now.