PH Aviation Flap Actuators

[MikeinPhoenix]

+1 for model specific retrofit kits. I bought my 9 (it has the original flap motor) and would sure like a retrofit kit. Keep up the good work Pat!

[Pat Hatch]

Here is our sneak preview of our "retro kit." Really all you will need for all of the single-digit RVs are the two brackets, an AN5-13 bolt, nut, and cotter key.



We'll be offering these kits shortly. Here we're showing an RV-6 flap channel that we recently removed from the airplane with the legacy flap motor installed. We'll be taking this apart to make a video that will show the steps for converting to the new flap actuator. Next to it is a new RV-9 flap channel that we're currently building. The new flap actuator is currently being installed in the channel. They are both very similar and hopefully it's obvious that it's a pretty simple conversion in either case.



We're really looking forward to developing these kits and hopefully they'll make it easier for folks to convert to the new flap actuators.

[wirejock]

I have the new actuator. The retro kit would really be nice

[MikeinPhoenix]

Pat, thanks for the update and pictures of the upcoming retrofit kits. It’s great to hear they’ll be available soon. It will solve issues for a lot of us!

All the best, Mike

[TASEsq]

Will you make a kit for the -14?

If so, I might hold off on ordering until you do.

[06ktrv6]

Can you guys enlighten those of us who are unaware of past issues with the conventional flap actuators. Once, early on at around 100 hrs I had to clean the grease out of the motor brushes. Other than that, there has been no other issues with my two actuators than I’m flying.

[Pat Hatch]

Originally Posted by TASEsq

Will you make a kit for the -14?

If so, I might hold off on ordering until you do.

We'll take a look at that, but if you'll have a look at our RV-14 Installation Instructions for the RV Max, you'll note that you're just modifying a couple of existing parts. It's on the web page here if you'd like to download it.

[Saville]

Anxious to see the video. If this provides a simpler way to transition from the stock flap actuator to yours then I'm on board.

[TASEsq]

Originally Posted by Pat Hatch

We'll take a look at that, but if you'll have a look at our RV-14 Installation Instructions for the RV Max, you'll note that you're just modifying a couple of existing parts. It's on the web page here if you'd like to download it.

Thanks for the prompt reply Pat - I’ll take a look.

[Dugaru]

Originally Posted by 06ktrv6

Can you guys enlighten those of us who are unaware of past issues with the conventional flap actuators. Once, early on at around 100 hrs I had to clean the grease out of the motor brushes. Other than that, there has been no other issues with my two actuators than I’m flying.

Well...

I bought a used -9A with the "basic" setup (old Vans flap motor etc.) The builder put the flap switch on the stick, with the "helpful" feature that the switch stays on when flicked up. The apparent idea being that in a go-around, etc., you just flip the switch up and then attend to other tasks while the flaps continue to go up. Key aspect of this setup: there is no limit switch to shut off the motor once the flaps are fully retracted. From what I can tell, this setup is not entirely unusual.

The problem is that with this old basic setup, if you inadvertently leave the switch up, or (worse yet) hit it *accidentally* one cold night while wearing gloves, and continue on your merry way, you might unknowingly run the flap motor against the stops for, say, 45 minutes, and that will absolutely cook the flap motor. The odor is really quite sudden, alarming, and distinctive; fortunately not much smoke is generated.

Obviously I know nothing about this based on personal experience.

I also have no experience with what happens if, in addition to all this, it turns out that somebody decided to use the wrong fuse for the flaps many years previously. Hello darkness my old friend. Thank you, backup battery attached to the Garmin G5