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WHEELS Control wheels are available sand cast in alumi- num or magnesium, investment cast in alumi- num or molded in plastic. Often, plastic heads are used on the metal base wheel. Our most recent wheels using thin wall aluminum precision investment castings are actually lighter weight than sand cast magnesium or plastic. Finishes are available from flat to gloss in almost any color. Control wheels, pilot and co-pilot, vary from air- craft to aircraft, the smaller aircraft usually using a smaller wheel and containing fewer electrical switches. Some include soft hand grip inserts, a medallion, a map light, or a lighted chart holder. Mounting is by spline, through holes or threaded fasteners located in the hub. For co-pilot, some use a mirror image of the pilot wheel, some the same wheel with the switches moved to the other side. Others use a common base with separate heads that can be interchanged or with one head removed and capped.
