Thread: Throttle / Choke friction lock

I'd like to see a change that would allow adjustment in flight without tools.

Hi All,

I would like to see a couple of items changed. The items in bold I think are essential for a better aircraft. Don't get me wrong, I really like this aircraft, but these are just little wish list items.

1. slightly larger oil inspection door opening. maybe 1/2 again larger.
2. possibly real tundra tires not just 6x6.00 standard aircraft tires.
3. more color in optional paint schemes for better in flight visability.
4. 2 more upper cowling vents to release heat. this is especially important for midwest,southwest and summertime U.S. flyers.
5. possibly lower the top of the dash by 3-4 inches. (without giving up leg room). it would be an even nicer view.
6. 2 door/window scoop vents for warmer climate or summer flying.
7. move wing fuel filters so they are accessable without removing the wings.

Roger Lee,

Great post, how often do you change those fuel filters?

Hi,

I believe they are checked at the first 100 hour mark or the annual which ever comes first. They should be in a place where they can be changed easly every 100 hours. Now you have to pull the wings. My first change I will move them. I think the more you pull things off like the wings you will cause lose fittings or forget to tighten something.
On a different note, and judging from some of the post, I will also add a couple of cowling vents to help cool the engine. It's an easy thing to do. It should drop the temp. 20-40 degrees. My 912uls only gets up to 222 degrees at the max and I live in Arizona. Flight Design is supposed to be using "Evens NPG" coolant as a mandated A.D. from Rotax. The Flight Design is using a standard water based coolant. Evens NPG will let you run your cooling system at almost zero pressure. Works very well. I wrote them an email, but I don't know if they are listening. I never got a response. I'm going to call them. I sure they will love to hear from me. LOL

Wow, I"m 50 hours in the 1st 6 weeks. I don't want to pull the wings several times per year. Let us know how the relocation works out.

I've heard before that FD wouldn't lift a finger for us to get a forum like this. I'm sure they see it as a potential nuisance. If they are smart they will use it to their advantage.

Well once again my throttle/choke friction lock failed when I was parked on the ramp at a destination airport. This time I had the tools handy and did the adjustment if about 15 minutes.

I again recommend that a modification be made so that the friction lock can be adjusted quickly, without tools and without dis-assembling the throttle quadrant.

Originally Posted by CharlieTango

I'd like to see a change that would allow adjustment in flight without tools.

I find the throttle very stiff. For instance, I have trouble hitting that 2800 rpm sweet spot on base to final without having to look at the tach and tap lightly on the throttle to get the right position. Just too stiff!

Thats my .02

James

Hi James,

If you can get your instructor to take a little friction off and make it a little lighter or smoother it is easy to do. Like Ed said in a previous post it takes about 15 min. All you need is a 3mm allan, an open end wrench and a straight blade screwdriver.
Another way to help compensate is to not put your whole hand on top of the throttle. Rest your hand on the side of the console with the throttle mostly between your fingers. Keep your hand in place and only move your fingers for a finer coordinated movement. If you need a lot of throttle then you gan slide the hand back or forward along the console if need be. Don't get hung up on just 2800, if it settles in at 2700-3000 it all works. I use 2800 solo and 3000 dual. I'm not a little guy so when two up with another passenger at 180 or above and full fuel we are pretty heavy so 3000 works well. Too many people are in a hurry to get on the runway ASAP and don't want to float that extra 75-100', but it doesn't matter. I have plenty of room to land and like smooth landings all the time so I get to re-use the plane. In the larger picture, what does going an extra 75-100' matter. Most are landing on strips thousands of feet long. If I need a short field landing then I'll use 40 flaps, 45-50 knots and no power, but that's not todays normal landing.
Don't get too hung up on the little details on each flight, just relax, feel the plane and it's motion and angles, fly and adapt to the surroundings. Over thinking can make your situation hard to adapt to or learn.

I don't know if the newer planes have these items, but would be nice to have a place to hang the head phones out of the way (velcro straps) and sunvisors that come with the plane. Spud

Hi Spud,

The velcro idea would work and Harbour Freight has some velcro that hold water hose or electric extension cords together that would work well. As far as sunvisors I have those. They are longer, wider and darker.