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tail wheel slack

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Paul A. Franz, P.E.

Joined: 02 Dec 2008
Posts: 280
Location: Bellevue WA

Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 10:58 am Post subject: tail wheel slack

On Wed, December 24, 2008 10:25 am, Clint Bazzill wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  

 You are right, the rudder is connected directly to the pedals.  There should be no

 play (backlash) to the tail wheel.  It is like loose steering, it will keep you on the

 highway but not desireable.


	


I've been advised to allow a little slack, just a little in the tail wheel to allow it

to caster. The turning is done with rudder authority and the tail wheel follows the

turn. That way you can move the rudder some without having to tug so hard on the tail

wheel chains and springs. A little throttle blast and some rudder input and the

tailwheel follows in a tight turn. On my setup, with the chains tight and the engine

off the airframe pushing the rudder hard will actually bend the control arms that the

chains connect to with the additional weight on the tail (no engine).



I have also been told to experiment a little with the spring tension and slack during

initial taxi testing to see what I like.



-- 

Paul A. Franz

Registration/Aircraft - N14UW/Merlin GT

Engine/Prop - Rotax 914/NSI CAP

Bellevue WA

425.241.1618 Cell

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_________________
Paul A. Franz, P.E.
Registration/Aircraft - N14UW/Merlin GT
Engine/Prop - Rotax 914/NSI CAP
Bellevue WA
425.241.1618 Cell
425.440.9505 Office

lcfitt(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 11:40 am Post subject: tail wheel slack

In my personal experience this appears to be one of those belt vs. 

suspenders things.  I was soundly warned by a Stearman expert once that I 

was in for some real trouble if I didn't take the slack out of the rudder / 

tailwheel linkage.  It was once when I was ferrying a friend to pick up his 

Stearman after his annual.  I finally did when I put rod ends to eliminate 

some of the acuteness of the angle of the chain from rudder to tailwheel 

steering arms.  The slack disappeared because of the link length of the 

chain and I could either have real loose or snug.  I chose snug.  I frankly 

can't say it improved or worsened the ground handling.  I think argument for 

both configurations could be made and it is possibly just a matter of habit 

and personal preference.



Lowell

---

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