Given an elevator span of 5 ft and a trim tab span of 1 ft with a chord of 3 inches, what is the maximum permissible free play of the elevator trim tab?

To determine the maximum permissible free play of the elevator trim tab, specific guidelines are established for different component sizes and their configurations. In the case provided, the trim tab is attached to an elevator with a defined span.

According to the regulations and engineering standards for aircraft control surfaces, the general rule for free play can often be approximated based on the size of the control surface and the length of the trim tab. For a trim tab that is about 1 foot in span and with the given dimensions, a maximum permissible free play of 0.060 inches is commonly accepted. This value takes into account the need for precise control while ensuring that there is enough play to avoid binding or excessive wear during operation.

Thus, the option indicating 0.060 inches is consistent with industry norms for trim tabs of the specified size, making it the correct answer for this scenario.