PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - anti balance tab or servo tab anybody?
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Old 6th Oct 2002, 07:09
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Chryse
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
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I agree with Comxtex.

Aerodynamic balance tabs and balance panels assist in the operation of the primary control surfaces namely the ailerons and elevators. This system of easing pilot applied control surface displacement force is termed Control Balancing. In powered operation, the tabs on all control surfaces move opposite to the direction of surface movement to assist in positioning the control surface aerodynamically. If all hydraulic power to the aileron or elevator is lost, the system will automatically shift to manually operate the aerodynamic tab control.

Take the case of an aileron with control balancing, when the control wheel is turned, the aileron cable moves the aileron tabs and the ailerons are repositioned through aerodynamic action.
In the event of total hydraulic failure on most jets with outboard aileron lockout (during normal powered flight, and flaps retracted), the pilot controls the inboard aileron tabs, which in turn repositions the inboard aileron which subsequently transmits the movement to the outboard aileron through cable linkages. In other words during manual operation the outboard aileron tabs do not shift to a control function, but move in response to the movement of the inboard aileron.

Aerodynamic balance panels are located in the wing structure attached to the leading edge of the aileron and the aft wing spar. Differential air pressure acting on these panels assists in aileron operation. This is particularly significant during manual flight control operation. Therefore the correct answer should be Balance Tabs

Hope it helps and good luck on your ALTP.

Bye for now.

Chryse
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