737 NG Ailerron PCU input Pogos;aileron cable failure ; 'What ifs'
Good afternoon,
Have looked in the FIM, AMM 1 and II for information regarding the tell-tale signs of when an input pogo (namely for the ailerons, but elevator/rudder too) has been compressed/stretched during a rate jam or lets say, a failure of one PCU..
This was a discussion at work as we received some new -800s from a customer. The conversation was amongst the mechanics as to whether or not anyone has seen an input pogo that has had its internal spring overcome... or how would one determine if an input pogo was compressed/stretched during one of the above examples.. no body seems to have experienced the situation.
I am sure a pilot write up would be immediate upon landing with a complaint about the poor roll tendency of the aircraft (poor handling) ... something indicating the need for further inspection of that PCU system (ailerons for example) But what (if any) visual clues would could one expect to see if the pogo(s) were stressed? I know there would be no separate indication in the flight deck of a 'failed PCU' (unless Hydraulic failure of a single PCU occurred, then a HYD or LOW pressure light would illuminate if lets say, a system failed) ... maybe the feel/centering unit would not allow the control wheel (in the case of the ailerons) to come fully neutral as an 'over extended' pogo would push back on the input shaft,canting the feel/centering unit ???
Surely somebody here will have the question or has experienced a input pogo that has undergone this issue.
Also, (same conversation, different topic) if a aileron wing cable were to break... am I correct in assuming that the aileron balance panels and tab would keep the aileron at a somewhat faired position relative to the wing.
So: If the LEFT wing cable were to break, this would allow the RIGHT aileron to continue operating normally... perhaps the aileron body quadrant might shear at the rivets maybe... BUT the good side would still operate. So at high speed/cruise speed; the bad aileron would not be operable but somewhat faired by the balance panels/tab ????
Ideas?