Hand rudder control for super cub.

Arthur v williams · Post by **Arthur v williams** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 10:33 pm

Hi all,

First post on the LAA forum so bear with me!

Guys/Gals,
I have a lower limb disability that means the aircraft I fly have to have a hand rudder control. I want to get my tail wheel conversion on the super cub and also just dearly want to fly one, but I know of no current hand control available for the type. I've had a look at the rudder set-up and it looks fairly straight forward to achieve. so I've come to ask for your expertise in how I can achieve this. from design through to certification.

Thanks very much

Arthur

Ian Melville · Post by **Ian Melville** » Thu Feb 17, 2011 7:19 am

Hi Arthur,
Welcome to the forum. I am guessing that we have met at Enstone/The Crown, cannot be too many Arthurs with a set of mean wheels.

I'm no expert on certification, but...
The Super Cub in question is on a EASA C of A, so any approvals will need to come from them, not the LAA. Your best bet initially will be to see if there is an STC in existence for this in the USA. Has anyone done hand controls for any tail dragger?

Have you spoken to Aerobility?
Cheers
Ian

Arthur v williams · Post by **Arthur v williams** » Thu Feb 17, 2011 10:06 pm

Hi Ian,

Thanks for the prompt reply, if we get the chance I'd like a proper chat about it at pilots in the pub if your at the next one?

I've done quite abit of researched on the net for American super cubs with adaptation's, but no luck so far...

as far as paraplegic PPL's with tail dragger experience goes, there was an article in one of the GA glossies last year and if you look at Aerobilities autumn 2009 issue there's a whole article on one pilot (name escapes me) who owns a tale dragger, so it's no problem.

ha, yeah I've heard of Aerobility....... I got my licenses with them and am hopefully going to be patron soon

I'm going to get the control developed and certified myself I think (obviously with you guys help) then get it out there for others. no one else is going to do it. so lets be proactive!

Thanks, and see you soon!

Arthur

Peter Harvey · Post by **Peter Harvey** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 9:50 am

There are a number of gliders fitted with hand rudder controls (the rudder is actively used in a glider, so they are very effective). I believe Shennington near Banbury has(had) an instructor teaching in one.

The one I flew used left hand for rudder, which appears to be the norm. These are certified machines, so I assume the mod was approved via the factory. It retained the foot pedals, so wasn't a replacement mod.

Contact me at LAA HQ for details if you're interested.
Pete Harvey

rans6andrew · Post by **rans6andrew** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 1:53 pm

A chap called Steve Slade has a hand rudder control mod in his Rans S6. I know that his is a nose dragger but the principal is the same. The mod involves adding a rudder stick, which moves fore and aft, on a pivot on the left side seat rail with a pushrod to the rudder pedal. One other thing you will need to consider is that the rudder is most needed during the take off and landing phases of flight and these are the times when you need to be able to operate the throttle, usually done with the left hand.......... SS solved this by adding a second throttle control onto the rudder stick using a cycle brake lever or something similar.

Rans6

Ian Melville · Post by **Ian Melville** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 4:53 pm

Hi Peter,
The owner of the Super Cub in question is a tug pilot at Shennington. So we should be able to set up a look-see with them. Our Warrior has hand controls as well.

Hi Andrew, It's the mixing of Throttle, Rudder and stick, with two hands that is the problem, so a second(actually a third) throttle would solve the issue.

On the Super Cub the rear pedals are alongside the P1 seat, so It would be logical to link any gizmo to that. Do all these hand rudders operate. Fore-aft sense, or are some left-Right? i.e is there a standard?
Cheers
Ian

Arthur v williams · Post by **Arthur v williams** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 5:21 pm

guys, for starters thanks alot for all jumping on-board on this one. really appreciate everyone's suggestions and help, I've had a look at the cub with an engineer and it appears that it isn't that hard to do after all.

so we have plans to get something together and fitted for testing, but i'll post up pictures and feedback when its working for your interest.

for the future, i'll be looking at adapting the mk26b! watch this space.

Again thanks for your help and you can count on me asking for your help and guidance in the future.

Regards,
Arthur

Nigel Hitchman · Post by **Nigel Hitchman** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 7:33 pm

We had a Pitts S-1 at Leicester for a while that Rob Millinship converted to hand rudder control for the owner who was based somewhere down south, possibly Goodwood.
Im fairly sure this was with a hand controlled rudder which operated by moving the throttle sideways.
This was approved thru the LAA system, so I guess there is a mod somewhere.
I would imagine it would be a lot easier to find a Super Cub on a LAA permit and modify that under LAA approval, rather than going thru all the expense of a modifying a CAA aircraft.

Good luck!

nigel