Gust lock

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dselder1962
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Gust lock

Post by dselder1962 »

When I ordered the 42 I didn't get the electric pedals as I thought, I am going to set them once and then never move them again, as no one else is going to be sitting in my seat. :lol:
I knew there was a gust lock, but didn't have detailed description on how it worked. Little did I know that you have to move the pedals fully forward to get it to engage over the pedal lugs, then wrap the sticks up like a Christmas tree. :roll:
And I can just imagine one day the wire release suddenly coming free...
Has anyone had their own one built up from scratch, either at the desired length, or an adjustable barrel design? That would make it so much easier and less hassle.
Thanks
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Re: Gust lock

Post by blsewardjr »

On my DA40 the rudders are full aft when using the lock so I just place it on the rudder pedals on the co-pilot's side. This avoids having to change my rudder pedals each time.
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Rick
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Re: Gust lock

Post by Rick »

If you search this forum for "gust lock", you will find several threads describing a modification several of us have made to the gust lock that allows it to be used without moving the rudder pedals from their "usual" position. I have pictures somewhere of the mod (I have made three of these so far, for three different DA40's) - I will post them here again if I can find them...

Here is one:
Gust Lock Mod.jpg
Last edited by Rick on Sat Sep 16, 2017 12:24 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Added picture
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dselder1962
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Re: Gust lock

Post by dselder1962 »

Brilliant. Thanks guys.
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Colin
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Re: Gust lock

Post by Colin »

I would like to point out that on the DA42 the gust lock has been mostly useless for me because I am leaving the plane with an FBO that might tow it. Locking the rudder locks the nose wheel turning, which is bad.

So I will be figuring out some method to strap the stick without touching the rudder pedals.
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Re: Gust lock

Post by dselder1962 »

Colin
I see your problem. I thought about this as well. I wonder about getting a seat belt made up with seat belt handles on both ends of an adjustable strap which can be snapped in to the seat belt holders of the front seats, and lap the belt around the sticks to hold them tight. The rudders can be held by the gust lock simply holding the rudders together (as long as it isn't being towed, as you say) without the need to move them. However it will still be visible all shiny and red, reminding us to remove them both. I imagine this system or something similar will be much easier to use.
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carym
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Re: Gust lock

Post by carym »

Whenever I left my DA42 with the FBO, I have kept the plane unlocked and have emphasized to the FBO that if they must move the plane they have to unlatch the rudder gust lock. I know, telling the FBO something doesn't mean that they will do it. But I felt better about instructing them anyways. Fortunately, in my 9+ years of ownership this never became a problem. It may be easier to just fabricate a "sign" to place on the nose wheel that says "remove gust lock before towing".

Note that many FBOs use a tow that lifts the nose wheel off the ground and therefore doesn't require removal of the gust lock. Otherwise, even if they use your own tow bar, they will have to be instructed in some way to remove the gust lock.
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Re: Gust lock

Post by CFIDave »

Whenever we used the gust lock on our DA42 (and now DA62), we attached a "DO NOT TOW" red streamer (somewhat similar to the pitot cover) to the nose gear.
http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/do-not ... eamer.html
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Colin
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Re: Gust lock

Post by Colin »

But is the gust lock on the rudder pedals necessary on the DA42 and DA62? Doesn't the nosewheel on the ground keep the rudder from moving?
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Re: Gust lock

Post by carym »

Colin wrote:But is the gust lock on the rudder pedals necessary on the DA42 and DA62? Doesn't the nosewheel on the ground keep the rudder from moving?
During the pre-flight aren't you able to move the rudder by hand? I know that I could move the rudder back and forth during pre-flight. If you can do it by hand it would imply that a strong gust could easily move the rudder to (and beyond) its stops.
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