Tailwheel Tips

Our tailwheel assembly is designed to full swivel after the steering arm is displaced from center 33 degrees or more. Most rudders have travel of 30 degrees or less. Therefore full rudder application will not disconnect the tailwheel from steerable to full swivel mode.

Applying full rudder and use of one brake will release the locking pin in the tailwheel. This will also disengage when pushing the airplane backwards. The locking pin is re-engaged by taxiing the airplane straight ahead with the rudder in the neutral position. This can also be accomplished by moving the rudder until you feel the pin re-engaging. The tailwheel must be less than 30 degrees from the trail position for this to occur.

It is important to select the proper main spring attach size to provide the proper
energy absorption on landing. Too stiff of a spring, or number of leaves, will result in too high of a load in the aft fuselage for the tailwheel assembly. Too soft of a spring will allow an excessive deflection which may damage lower rudder. Other aircraft with similar tail weight and spring combination would be a good guide. It is important that the vertical shaft of the tailwheel on which it rotates be in as close to vertical position as possible. This will result in much better ground handling.

Three most common tailspring sizes are 1 1/4 inch flat, 1 1/2 inch flat, and 5/8
round.

For the 1 1/4 inch spring, we will supply an adapter to reduce it from 1 1/2 inch.