What is used in large metal aircraft to keep control cable tension within limits?

In large metal aircraft, cable tension regulators play a crucial role in maintaining the proper tension of control cables. These devices automatically adjust the tension of the cables as they may expand or contract due to temperature changes, wear, or operational dynamics. Proper tension is essential for ensuring that control surfaces respond accurately to pilot inputs, promoting safe and effective aircraft handling.

By continuously monitoring and adjusting the tension within set limits, cable tension regulators prevent issues related to cable slack or excessive tightness, which could lead to control failures or wear on the cables and associated components. This regulation is vital to ensure that the flight control system functions reliably under various operational conditions.

Other components, like control cable adjusters, are more manual in nature and require periodic adjustments from maintenance personnel rather than automatic regulation, which makes them less suitable for consistent tension maintenance. Rigging brackets are primarily used for securing cables and structure rather than managing tension. Counterweights might be used in some control systems but are not specifically designed to regulate cable tension. Therefore, cable tension regulators are the appropriate choice for this function in large metal aircraft.