Airplane Description DA 42 AFM
Page 7 - 4 Rev. 8 15-Dec-2017 Doc. No. 7.01.05-E
7.3 FLIGHT CONTROLS
The ailerons, elevator and wing flaps are operated through control rods, while the rudder
is controlled by cables. The flaps are electrically operated. Elevator forces can be balanced
by a trim tab on the elevator, which is operated by a Bowden cable. Rudder forces can
be balanced by a trim tab on the rudder, which is also operated by a Bowden cable.
Ailerons
Construction: GFRP/CFRP composite sandwich.
Hinges: There are 4 hinges, which are hinge pins mounted in an aluminum
bracket. They are secured in position by a roll pin. The absence of this
roll pin can lead to the loss of the hinge pin and a consequent loss of flight
safety.
Operation: A rod end bearing is screwed into a steel push rod and locked by means
of a jam nut which has locking varnish applied to it. Damage to this
varnish can indicate a twisting and thus a change to the adjustment. The
connection between the rod end bearing and the control horn is a bolt,
the nut of which is likewise sealed with locking varnish.
The aluminum control horn is attached to the aileron with 3 screws.