Taildragger tail dragging

[cvavon]

Re: Taildragger tail dragging

When we put c85 on my plane i had a similar thing happen not as bad as you are we had the wrong washers on the engine mount bolts and that let the engine sag so the thrust line was off put on right part an the problem went away. also my tail wheel is 69 lbs and light weight is 777 lbs and like Rob said the pre war are fun.

[1938BF50]

Re: Taildragger tail dragging

I finally got a chance to spend some time working on the plane this last weekend. Here is what I found. Wash-in on the LH wing was 1 7/8" and the RH wing was 1 5/8". Factory setting is 1 5/16". I adjusted both to 1 5/16". Weight on the tailwheel with the plane leveled was 59#. I hope to get a chance to fly tonite to see if the rigging change has any effect on the tail "heavy" takeoff issue that started this thread.

[cvavon]

Re: Taildragger tail dragging

Mike your tail wheel weight is 10 # lighter then my plane and even when it was a a65 the tail came up easy see what the wing adj did then look at the thrust line it should be 0 to check level the plane and put a straight edge on the prop hub with a level if the level is centered it's at 0 deg thrust line if not shim motor mount to 0.

[flyguy]

Re: Taildragger tail dragging

Rather surprised that it wasn't tail heavy. This is getting interesting. As to the wash-in/wash-out, I experimented with my 12D, both wings in, both wings out, and the fairly unsymmetrical adjustment that I have now and I didn't notice ANY affect on the pitch behavior at take off.

Now I suspect it will be still do the same thing and roll left in level flight.

DC

[1938BF50]

Re: Taildragger tail dragging

DC,

I expect the same. Anxious to get up tonite. I thought it interesting that both adjusters are completely out of travel(adjusted out) to just get to the 1 5/16" wash.

[Guest]

Re: Taildragger tail dragging

Have you guys checked your elevator travel?

Also any chance that the stabilzer is not in the proper plane? ie there has been damage such that the stabizer mounts no longer represent the level positon of the aircraft?

Dave

[1938BF50]

Re: Taildragger tail dragging

I was able to get in (3) take-offs last night after making the above mentioned washout adjustments. The first takeoff was cautious with full concentration on the narrow runway. The next two takeoffs were made on the grass with the tail popping up nicely after a short run. I am shocked that a 1/2"-5/8" change in washout would have this much(apparently) effect on the tail lifting. It makes no sense from a logic perspective. I am really happy that I can now(easily) lift the tail on takeoff.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Taildragger tail dragging

Are you sure the "Taylorcraft brick" didn't fall out of the tail?
Hank ;-)

[astjp2]

Re: Taildragger tail dragging

Proper levelling is necesssary as well...I expect everyone's spirit level across the stabilser spars is calibrated to an International Standard, is it not?

Rob

No such thing, you just turn it around. I work on $1,500,000 mills and we just turn the "Starret" level around when we level after a move. Tim

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Taildragger tail dragging

Same way we did it. If the bubble isn't level both ways, you just get another level.

Hank