Matco tailwheel and comp. springs

[Nefj40]

Ok, here's the situation. My old Heath and it's tension springs where shot, to the point where the PO threaded a couple coils of the spring through the rudder horns after the hooks broke off the springs. So at last annual I bought a 8" Matco and a set of compression springs. There's a bunch of slack on the springs between the attach points. My IA said that's how it's supposed to be. If you know how a Matco works, with no tension on the locking arms, my tailwheel can be in full swivel all the time. I'm always "hunting" with the pedals trying to catch the pin.

Shouldn't there be a tiny bit of tension to "lock" the tailwheel?

[astjp2]

Re: Matco tailwheel and comp. springs

I could not get a matco to work without tension. My Scott also has tension. Dump the matco and buy a bushwheel or a scott, take it from someone who has ground looped 4 times, 3 because of a Maule tundra tailwheel. Tim

[cvavon]

Re: Matco tailwheel and comp. springs

After trying to make 3 maul tail wheels work right I bought a AK Bush 3200 and cured the problem trying to get by cheep on tail wheels is a bad situation waiting to happen.Ask your self way all the off air port planes in Alaska use the Scott or AK bush 3200 They flat out work!

[Edwin Otha]

Re: Matco tailwheel and comp. springs

Dave, you're going to need some tension on that Matco set-up. Just like the 2000 Scott it needs tension to lock. I used them all, and now put on the Aviation Products tailwheel. Aircraft Spruce sells them as the "homebuilders" tailwheel, but you can buy them direct for a little less money.
EO

[astjp2]

Re: Matco tailwheel and comp. springs

I just realized that a Matco is not TSO'd or approved on the TCDS, so its not even legal without a field approval. Tim

[Nefj40]

Re: Matco tailwheel and comp. springs

CAR 4
04.442 Wheels. Main landing gear wheels shall be a of type or model certificated by the administrator in accordance with the provisions of Part 15 and shall not be subjected to static loads in excess of those for which they are certificated. Tail wheels may be of any type or model and are not certificated. Nose wheels are subject to special rulings to be made by the Administrator.

I might do something different in the future, but when I bought the Matco I was in the middle of a $6,000 annual.

[Nefj40]

Re: Matco tailwheel and comp. springs

Dbl post.

[N74DV]

Re: Matco tailwheel and comp. springs

We've been using a Matco for about 7 yrs on ours. We tried the compression springs but did not like them. Now we use tension springs and it works out quite well.

[Nefj40]

Re: Matco tailwheel and comp. springs

We've been using a Matco for about 7 yrs on ours. We tried the compression springs but did not like them. Now we use tension springs and it works out quite well.

That's something to consider. Thanks.

[PA1195]

Re: Matco tailwheel and comp. springs

I've used compression springs in floatplane rudder installations and on Maule tailwheels. When you need increasing tension with travel they're there.

Nice Folsom Point by the way. True artisans created that hunting tool.

[Nefj40]

Re: Matco tailwheel and comp. springs

I've used compression springs in floatplane rudder installations and on Maule tailwheels. When you need increasing tension with travel they're there.

Nice Folsom Point by the way. True artisans created that hunting tool.

I've got a bunch of Folsom material, but only one complete point. The one in my Avi. is the original from the Black Water Draw.

[PA1195]

Re: Matco tailwheel and comp. springs

I've got a bunch of Folsom material, but only one complete point. The one in my Avi. is the original from the Black Water Draw.

Not my profession, just an interest that aligns with living and camping for 50 years all over Alaska/Eastern Beringia. David Meltzer was here in Fairbanks this winter and gave a fine lecture on that tradition and others. His archeo books make a good read.

Hope your tailwheel deal works out ok. It's not a place to have issues in wind. I broke a Maule tailwheel on a rough gravel bar on Alaska's North Slope. Flew out to a nearby strip with a stick attached to the spring with wire and duct tape. Later tack welded the tailwheel arm temporary with the battery and same wire. Threw the tailwheel in a Fairbanks dumpster upon return and installed a Scott, but they were cheaper in the 1970's than now.

[Nefj40]

Re: Matco tailwheel and comp. springs

I know of Dr. Meltzer and read some of his papers, but I've never met him. He's a little (lots) outside of my area...

I've got a little better at stabbing brakes to keep things straight, and I still haven't gone off into the weeds, yet.