Gary, I did use the stock controls on the flaps. Both pushrods fit the flap horn holes perfectly with no slop. I lubed them with a little silicon spray. However the kit supplied clevis pin is 1/16" and is sloppy in the elevator horn. I had planned to use a ball link, but with the bolt and nut, there's not enough room, even after I slit the fuse tail and spread it with a 3/8" square dowel. I couldn't find a piece of brass tube the right ID and OD to bush the hole with. I did find an aluminum tube that fits, but that will probably wear out too quickly. What do you think, is it okay to use an aluminum bushing? But I might just go with the sloppy clevis anyway. It's a metric thread so I can't put a Sullivan clevis on unless I make another rod with a 4-40 threaded coupler. That will be the only slop in the system, so I've about decided to use the kit clevis. I will have an access door for the clevis and weight box.
My metric threaded control rod
![](http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/rknrusty/Airplanes/WP_20150115_001_zps0cdbc2a3.jpg)
My flaps have Dubro pin hinges and are friction free. I'm really happy with them, they fall to full deflection under their own weight. However I got lazy and installed the CA hinges in the stab and am not happy with their stiffness. I've never used them before so decided to give them a try. If I change my mind, I'll slice them free and either install pin hinges or sewn hinges. I've had good performance from sewn hinges on many planes. Look at the retainer I put around the flap horn. This will reduce the load on the first hinge. Not only load from air pressure but the rotation of the axle is a bit elliptical. Seemed like a good idea to me.
Retainers on the flap horn axle
![](http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/rknrusty/Airplanes/WP_20150112_002_zps56c06aa6.jpg)
I'm just taking my time and getting it as sturdy as I can. I want this to be my contest plane for May in Triple Tree & Huntersville, and hopefully beyond. I'm getting to where building is hard on my creaky joints and I'm sure as hell not ready to stop having fun, so I pace myself... and try out my first ARF.
I hope you have a great time with yours... what color is it? I always wanted a Red one, but ended up with yeller.
Hopefully tomorrow I can post another report. It'll be looking like an airplane soon.
Rusty