Microlighters

I have asked this in my build thread, but not sure how many people pop in there, so I will ask on the general forum...

Basically, I would like to put a dual throttle system in my Raven, and none of the standard setups seem to work. The stock Zodiac system uses a torque rod on top of the front cross member (engine side of the firewall), but the Raven has two support brackets there, which would make this very difficult.

Boet's BB system is great, but it needs a lot of space behind the panel (where the Raven's fuel tank is).

I also thought of a Jabiru 'crotch throttle', but the main spar is under the seat - and I am not going to chop that up!

Basically, I can find no convenient place for a torque tube (except possibly under the front edge of the panel, but I am not sure what linkage I could use there.)

I see on the RV builder's thread that the recommended system there is simple two push-pull cables directly to the carburettor throttle arm. Seems simple enough, but there are probably some catches...

Anybody have any nice ideas/examples of what is tested and works?

Thanks,
Justin

go to http://www.cableman.biz/ppc.htm

They make up any cable/throttle system you want

The one with the Knurled black knob and red button in the centre is the one I am putting into the Bush Baby soon. press the centre button and smoothly advance the throttle. release the button and small rotations fine tune the setting

BTW I also thought about dual throttle controls etc, eventually ended up with a single centre throttle, even though I am right handed. Took me an hour or so to learn to fly joystick left and throttle right. now I actually prefer it because I hold the joystick with my left, and can make adjustments to the radio, switches, throttle instruments with my right

Had a long chat with Johan @ Cableman on Tuesday. They will make up all the cables and fittings I need, no problem. They just don't have anything for using 2 throllle leavers to control 1 carb. (They can do the Rotax Y cables though - one throttle to 2 carbs.)

I would love to use a vernier throttle like that too. I think that is the best possible throttle, but it can't be used with a dual control system at all - you need some way to disable the vernier on the other control...

EDIT: Interesting - I didn't realise the website was for 'Cableman' (Cape Town), not 'The Cableman' (Pretoria). They seem to have the same product line though. I will try give the guys in the cape a call, and see if they do have a dual control solution.

Learn to fly like every other GA aircraft, left handed on the joystick and right on the throttle. It really is not an issue. Then you can have the single central vernier throttle. Lekker

Morph wrote:Learn to fly like every other GA aircraft, left handed on the joystick and right on the throttle. It really is not an issue. Then you can have the single central vernier throttle. Lekker

That is precicely why I want a dual throttle - the Raven has a center stick. I am making the PIC seat on the right so I can have the stick in my left hand. Unfortunately, this means I need throttles on the sides...

Been chatting to Sam at cableman - incredibly helpful chap. I hope he can come up with a plan for me!

-justin

aha, won't work for a central joystick,

next idea

Here is the panel:
The red line shows (probably) the only convenient spot for a torque rod. (Actually a bit higher up - behind the lip of the panel. There is a gap around 11cm wide back to the fuel tank.)

The blue triangles show the open area of the panel, past the sides of the fuel tank. There is a very deep space here, but small. There are also two brackets directly beneath this space, making access to the torque rod difficult.

The yellow lines show an idea I am toying with - just putting control arms directly on the torque rod, coming out underneath the panel. The arc that the arm knob will move in is not great, but it can work.

Why do you not fit the torque-rod against the front of the f`wall? Fit 2 BB throttle assemblies. Should work beaudifull!

Boet wrote:Why do you not fit the torque-rod against the front of the f`wall? Fit 2 BB throttle assemblies. Should work beaudifull!

I didn't realise it at first, but unlike the Zodiac, the Raven has a vertical channel running all the way, top to bottom in front of the firewall. And the engine comes to within 5cm of that channel. I just can't find a *(&^% gap big enough for a torque rod in front of the firewall, and stuff all behind the firewall.

The only gap I can see of is just below the panel.