Tail rope release

[Bird]

I saw a article in Kitplanes recently (I think it was there), and this guy had a tail rope release where all he had to do was full left rudder and go, now my copy of that Kitplane mag is 200' up in my crane and 2 hours away so I drew a hand drawing.
Basically 1 plate the same size as the tail spring was added to the top of the tail spring where it bolts to the airframe-extends out rear and has a tang welded to the top of it at a 90* angle-then the clip which holds the rope tiedown.
When he is ready after hand propping he just does a hard left rudder and it pulls the clip free and off he goes.
I hope the drawing comes out alright, I did a side view and a rear view of the tail wheel area and just a side view of the clip in a closed and open position and you guys take it from there.

[Bird]

Re: Tail rope release

sorry can't get the dang thing to get upright

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Tail rope release

We don't need it right side up! Just need to print it and turn the paper. ;-)
Hank

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Tail rope release

atta boy Hank..... all that Engineering knowledge pays off OR just lay down on the couch and read it (

[Gerald McKibben]

Re: Tail rope release

I built a Pietenpol one time, and I saw a design for a tail tie-down hook which I incorporated. It was a neat installation. A two-piece hook held the rope securely, and a 1/16 in. cable attached to the release mechanism. The cable ran forward through the fuselage to a 'T' handle that I mounted on the panel. After propping you just yank on the handle and you're on the way.

However, the device posted above seems to work too. I may build one.