Control Sticks

I spent more time yesterday tinkering and adjusting the control column in pitch. This required using a variety of washers and shims to fill gaps between the bearings and the control column so when the bolts are torqued no side load is imparted to the bearings and the column moves with little friction. Easier said then done. Its tough getting extra washers and shims into the tight spaces where the bolts go that are difficult to access. You need 3 hands to hold everything. The best technique was to superglue washers together into one stack that's easier to manipulate. I made a little progress but am still not 100% satisfied with the friction levels in pitch. Using lower then normal torque values on the bearing bolts seems to yield adequate results. I queried Van's about it and received a timely response but it didn't really answer my question so I need to reengage. I got everything else torqued up and marked on the pushrods and so moved on to the control stick assemblies. This involves measuring, tweaking and match drilling multiple holes for the stick mounts in steel parts. I should finish that up tomorrow and hopefully get them in the fuselage.