Alert PSA: CubCrafters owners - check fire extinguisher install for flight control interference

[Neal]

Fellow CubCrafters' owners, I had a discovery tonight that was a bit interesting and/or concerning. My aileron cable tension is wonderful, very easy controls left/right. Recently though things felt stiffer and I was concerned something may be binding somewhere and carefully checked pulley's, etc. Tonight, for whatever reason, before I flew I noticed the fire extinguisher was very secure in its holder and was leaning up against the stick base. In my FX-3 the fire extinguisher is on the front side of the pilot's seat. In talking with @Tsquared his has it on the aft side. So I fiddled with the extinguisher velcro strap and also discovered that if you have it oriented so that the extinguishers plunger handle is forward, it could cause a flight stick control jam. So take a close look at your fire extinguisher installation and ensure it's not a conflict with your flight control base.

 

[Cubonaut875]

Thanks for this alert also. Mine was not interfering but was loose. My ailerons are, I think too tight, much stiffer since condition inspection. The tension was quite low at inspection so we increased it to mid spec at 40 pounds. I'm thinking I need to drop it to 35 lbs, bottom of the spec. What is your aileron tension if you have any idea?

 

[Neal]

Don’t know but it’s perfect.

 

[Neal]

Here is my setup now. Notice plunger up.