Bill Byles - Precision Aerobatic Trimming Tool

Bill Byles - Precision Aerobatic Trimming Tool

I'm posting this request for my flying partner, Gary Lutz.

Gary has tried calling Bill Byles via the phone number in his ad in Stunt News. However, he gets a message that the number has been disconnected. He tried calling on the "FAX" line also and got a message saying that number was no longer good either.

He's trying to obtain one of the Precision Aerobatic Trimming Tools, that Bill sells.

We need help in contacting Bill Byles, finding another supplier of the same part, or finding another person who may have one they'd like to sell.

RE: ad in Stunt News, Sept/Oct 2004, page 27

Hi!

I have a couple of Bills "Trimming tools" NIP. They are beautifuly machined and I have reccomended them to several people.

If you fail to reach Bill You can have one of mine. I'll only ask that you reimburse me for my cost.

Hows that?!

BIGS

" What constitutes the dignity of a craft is that it creates a fellowship, that it binds men together and fashions for them a common language. For there is but one problem - the problem of human relations."

Hi Chip: and Gary:

While I can't directly speeak to your question, there is a functional equivalent.

If you are going to use arrow shaft anyway (like the Byles unit requires) you can get the Central Hobbies rod ends in RH or LH thread.

The Nelson ball link ends can also be had in RH or LH threads.

So, if you put a RH set on the flap horn end, and a LH set on the ELE horn, you have created a turnbuckle type adjustable-length pushrod.

I have used this setup on my last two planes and it works just fine. I set up the aft horn access hatch so I can adjust the rod end. You don't even have to remove the ball link.

I have set mine up with a nylon jam nut at the aft end (just cross thread it on!) but I dont think they will move even without it. THe nylon ball link is like an insert nut and resists vibration induced rotation.

I think DirtyDan has described this set-up also using his favorite R/C car parts section from LHS.

TOM Morris sells all the pieces you need for this.

Hope this might help.

Bill has changed his number.
It is 909-560-3630.
Chris...

Thanks, Chris, Bigs, and Curt,

Chris, I've given Gary the new telephone number.

Bigs, thanks for the offer, if Gary has any problem getting the item from Bill, (out of stock, no longer made ?. etc.), I'm sure we'll be getting in touch with you.

Curt, what a great idea. Gary has used the Bill Byles item for some time and is not inclined to change unless he can't/couldn't get another one. However, we like your idea, and will certainly incorporate it into our building, especially me.

Again, thank you all for your timely and appropriate replies.

I handled Gary's plane for quite a few launches over the summer but never really looked at the details.

Where does he put the Byles adjuster and how does he get access to it?

Hi Chip,
While I have been using Tom's control systems for quite a while, the first plane to get the R/H-L/H thread elevator push rod was Aaron's Geo. At first I only thought of it as an extremely easy way to set final neutral on the system.
It became apparent that lengthening the elev. p/r would help equalize the turn rate. We had not installed a hatch but cutting the bottom block was a quick and easy fix. We now install this system with a hatch for later adjustments!
I have not used Bill Byle's system, but from pictures it appears to have the same idea in mind, but all in one place so to speak.
Tom's L/H p/r end has a hex shank on it to allow you to turn the whole rod. That can be a little tough to do the first time since the nylon (??) ball joints lock to the threds pretty good. I use needle nose Vice Grip pliers.
Hope all is well with you and with Gary!
Bill <><

Hi Bill:

If you size and position the aft fuse side hatch correctly, you can get to the Hex ok. I use a small open end wrench--part of an "ignition" wrench set.

You could also fabricate a wrench from 1/16" 6061-T6 or 2024 ALUMINUM.

LAST EDITED ON Nov-24-04 AT 08:48 AM (CST)
 
Hi Curt,
I should have expounded on the problem leading to the use of needle nose vice grips.
We cut into the bottom of the plane for the easiest fix/repair. The fuse bottom is very narrow there, plus being an inline design the push rod is pretty far away from the fuse bottom, and a wrench of the normal variety would not grip the hex with any amount of "throw", or leverage, being available.
Anyway, I needed a good reason to buy a $15 pair of Vice Grips!! LOL!

Bill <><

LAST EDITED ON Nov-24-04 AT 08:56 AM (CST)
 
Well...surprisingly enough, I pretty much figured that out from your first post! I was just explaining what I had set-up. Doing from the fuse bottom is REAL difficult for the reason you suggested.

On the Byles device, I wonder if people place them in the middle of the rod and adjust them through the bottom (top)of the pipe tunnel?

Randy Ryan has a nice system for removing the canopy hatch and getting access to the flap horn area that would work nicely--on his big Gladiator.

Have a great Thanksgiving Bill..and don't eat too much of the good stuff!

Curt,

Thanks for the Thanksgiving well wishes, back at ya!

On Aaron's new Satana, we installed a hatch about 1-1/4 X 2, oor so, right at the elev. control horn. Can adjust pushrod and slider horn from there. "Key" on the rear and 1 bolt on the front of the cover.

I like Randy Powell's circular hatch, just don't know if that is big enough to adjust the push rod with Tom's set up. Those ball joint ends really lock down when they set for a while. I cannot see them vibrating loose unless the whole plane shakes apart! They didn't move when Aaron shattered his prop at Brodak's and had the 7 min vibration from H___ run that shook everything else loose.

Bill <><

Yep..

On the Katana, I didnt use a jam nut either. THey just dont move...hard even when you WANT to move em.

I also liked that circular hatch. Mine have always been rectangular.

I hold mine in by placing clear tape over it. No screws or anything.

Best to Arron as well.

I'll be putting in some time this weekend on the new Katana lost foam wing project. Hope to have it nearly framed up by Sunday. The jigs are ready to go and I'm cutting Warren truss ribs now. Gonna use the molded LE's also.

When I can get the other projects off the table, I am going to build a "new one" from Randy. Uses the Katana wing, and I am going to build the wing in the cradles from Aaron's Katana foam wing. (cheap man's lost foam jig. ) I already have a laser cut set of ribs.

Of course there are two client's planes and a USA-1 to do first. But there should be a NEW PAMPA plane for me next year! And I can put up the old faithful Juno as a back up. Will hate to see her drop, but it's time.

Bill <><

LAST EDITED ON Nov-24-04 AT 12:32 PM (CST)
 
Curt & Bill,

I have dozens of photos of Gary's planes on the computer. Just spent an hour trying to find one showing the hatch. Sorry, but I could not find one.

Curt, I may be wrong, but I believe you may have seen 2 of Gary's planes this season. In Detroit he flew his "Encore". The Encore does not have the Byles tool installed in it. In Huntersville you would have seen his "Stuntress", and it does have the Byles tool installed on the push rod just before the elevator horn. He has an access hatch built in the fuselage side under the stabilizer through which he can make any necessary adjustments.

Gary is presently progressing nicely on an Adamusko "Spitfire", and that's why he was searching for another Byles tool. """If""" I can get over to his place and take some photos of the installment, I'll post them on the forum.

Bill, you've probably seen Gary's "Stuntress" and "PatternMaster". The PatternMaster does not have the Byles adjuster installed. At this time only the Stuntress has the tool, but he likes it so much he wants to put it in the Spitfire.

Yes, I like Tom Morris' system also, and that's what I'll be using on my planes in progress. Although it probably doesn't make sense, I'll use the Byles tool in any smaller .35 - .40 size planes I build in the future.

Well, Gary isn't into computers very much, so, I hope I haven't put any words in his mouth here. I know he's helped me tremendously, he loves to help others and share his knowledge. And he certainly appreciates the kind words of praise you fellas have given his planes.

Just don't let him get too close with his video camera

Happy Thanksgiving to all,

Hi Chip,
I certainly enjoy being around you and Gary. (even Curt, but don't tell him)
I did notice the hatch on the Stuntress while Gary was changing LG at Huntersville. Where were you??
Tell ol' Gary Boy that I still ain't forgot the win he stole from me at Fentriss while we were on the way up learning the pattern. Him and that big ol' Patternmaster with an ST 60 and me with my puny little SV-11 and ST G-51. Naw, it was great fun.
I really appreciate his generosity, and what you did for ol' Mr. '69 NATS is still one of the most touching situations I have seen in any area. Bob was actually speechless! I know it meant a LOT to him and us, his friends.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks,
Bill <><

Thanks CHip:

Perhaps I looked right at it and didn't notice anything unusual--if its right under the stab in normal location.

Pix arent required. I watched him put the LG on the Stuntress along with Bill.

And yes it was the Encore earlier in the year at Detroit.

Say Hi to Gary for me.