Brief Description: Fine tuning the pedals and brakes
So I've purchased what I believe to be the niceest rudder pedals you can buy for an EZ. Expensive and worth it! However, I've taken them to a whole new level. Sitting in my cockpit I have had the hardest time getting the pedals to feel like they were an extension of my feet. I want the most relaxing position when I'm at altitude, but then fitting my range of motion when in use. I determined that the rudder cables need to move 2.25" in order to actuate the rudders to their full deflection. I then noticed that full breaking force needs another .5" at the pedal. This total of 2.75" of throw was only possible with the rudders laying far forward from what I feel is normal. Keep in mind, I added steel pads to the front of the pedals for a better surface area contact on the balls of my feet. These pads are most comfortable and natural when resting flat on my shoe. This meant the geometry of the pedal design had to change. The first thing I did was to remove about .75" of the grey slider tube allowing the pedals to move forward a lot more. doing this however means they can come off the assembly if they fall forward during flight. This will be solved with a simple SS zip tie later (Stay tuned) For now I made small adjustments here and there and finally found the PERFECT position from resting to full breaking power. I then had to deal with the change in tubing angles where the cables exit the pedals. To keep the tubes from cutting into the cable, I ran a piece of Nylaflow through them extending out 4". This will create a smooth bore for the cable to go through and keep metal from touching metal. I finally Clamped the break lines to the sidewalls and called them finished until final adjustments are needed when rigging up the cables. Coming Soon!
