How should you verify control surface free play and absence of obstructions?

How should you verify control surface free play and absence of obstructions?

• A. Rely on the factory alignment spec sheet only.
• B. Visually inspect and manually move surfaces; ensure no binding, interference, or foreign objects.
• C. Only test movement with the engine running.
• D. Check by measuring control surface weight.

Answer: (B)

When verifying control surface free play and absence of obstructions, you rely on a hands-on check. Start with a thorough visual inspection of each control surface, its hinges, pushrods or cables, and any fairings for damage, wear, or foreign objects. Then gently move each surface through its full range of motion by hand to feel for smooth operation, ensuring there’s no binding, snagging, or looseness. This direct check helps detect issues like a bent hinge, kinked cable, misrigging, or debris that could jam movement. It also confirms there isn’t any interference between the surface and adjacent structure or components, and that the surface travels freely to its stops. Relying on a factory spec sheet alone won’t catch changing conditions in the field, such as wear or foreign objects, and performing the test with the engine running is unsafe for this kind of inspection. Measuring only the surface’s weight won’t reveal binding or obstructions, and won’t ensure the surface moves through its full, safe range.

When verifying control surface free play and absence of obstructions, you rely on a hands-on check. Start with a thorough visual inspection of each control surface, its hinges, pushrods or cables, and any fairings for damage, wear, or foreign objects. Then gently move each surface through its full range of motion by hand to feel for smooth operation, ensuring there’s no binding, snagging, or looseness. This direct check helps detect issues like a bent hinge, kinked cable, misrigging, or debris that could jam movement. It also confirms there isn’t any interference between the surface and adjacent structure or components, and that the surface travels freely to its stops.

Relying on a factory spec sheet alone won’t catch changing conditions in the field, such as wear or foreign objects, and performing the test with the engine running is unsafe for this kind of inspection. Measuring only the surface’s weight won’t reveal binding or obstructions, and won’t ensure the surface moves through its full, safe range.