I thought now would be a good time to install the elevator electric trim servo in the left elvator before trying to check the elevator balance. The Ray Allen servo module came as kit parts with the empennage kit which we built in Georgia in March of 2007. We installed the module into the two " Z" brackets and found that it interfered with the two forward rivets. We put a 0.040 thick washer between the module and brackets and then inserted the screws and nylon nuts. That worked ok until I installed the clevis's on the threaded rod and attached them to the module and trim tab horn. Seems that the module was now raised enough that the threaded rod would contact the slot in the lower elevator skin. After messing around all afternoon trying out different ideas and not wanting to elongate the slot in the skin, I finally called Van's technical support to get some advice. They said to take a round file and elongate the slot in the skin. Not a big deal. The electric servo only trims the tabs up 20 degrees and down 25 degrees out of a max of 25 up/35 down. Van's tech helper said that should be plenty during flight.
