Anyone running out of nose up trim on final?

[SwiftFox]

Hey guys. I have a new (to me) Model 4 with an electric trim tab.

I find myself running out of nose up trim with higher flap settings on final. Seems to be more than normal back pressure on final to maintain slope with full up trim. Seems to happen with all load configurations.

Anyone else have this issue? Any fixes?

thanks!

[DesertFox4]

Try your approach with less or no flaps. The flaps give you a nose down pitch result with little drag increase so if you don't need that to clear obsticles on the approach end of your runway, try it without the flaps. Should leave you ample trim. I seldom use flaps on my model four. Slips I use frequently.
Flaps usually used for a shorter take offs.

[SwiftFox]

Thanks for the reply DesertFox!

You're absolutely right. I've been experimenting with flapless landings and it is much better. No trim issues. Also much more efficient!

I've been wanting to use the flaps for the additional lift for increased short field (hopefully off airport) performance. From what I've seen so far, at the same touchdown attitude, I can get 20kts slower with near full flaps and relatively high power. Just a lot more stick pressure.

Also, I'll be getting soft bush wheels and want to minimize touchdown wear on paved strips with the lower landing speeds. Might just have to deal with it then..

I was curious if a trim tab extension would help a bit in this scenario? Has that been done?

Thanks again

[HighWing]

Elevator Authority has been an often talked about issue with the Model IV and earlier. Most have used a gap seal between the Horizontal Stabilizer and Elevator. Your post suggests you have adequate elevator authority, but lose trim ability. I suspect it is elevator authority that is the real problem. I seem to recall at one of the Desert Fox Fly-ins in the old days seeing Steve's (Desert Fox 4's) trim tab was about half the length - along the trailing edge - of the factory Speedster tab and he mentioned it was adequate. Am I correct on this one?

[Jch]

I can fully trim one notch of flaps, but I can't trim for full flaps on my SS7. I wanted to ask the same question.

[DesertFox4]

Lowell, my trim tab is about half regular size.
Another point I forgot to mention was I have the larger elevator also.