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Hi folks,
I have seen and have written threads about tailwheel shimmy on my maule tailwheel. I had the problem solved, but I ran into a problem I thought I should share with those of you who may have experienced this on your planes. I flew down to Traverse City, Michigan this weekend to get my seaplane rating and I had a relatively uneventful return home...until I landed at my final destination. My tailwheel started to shimmy, and I soon lost all direction control of the aircraft. Not wanting to perform a ground loop in front of numerous spectators, I added some power to get directional control from my rudder until I got the plane under control. It seems that the several times previously that I had experienced the shimmy...it put stress on the post that goes up into the rudder. This post is bolted to the "rudder tube" and allows for steering via the rudders. The post broke off clean up inside the rudder and regardless of my efforts I could not steer the airplane on the ground. Sooo, I guess if you've had similar trouble with your Maule tailwheel...I would suggest having it inspected before something bad happens. I'm just sharing my experience in hopes that it will help a fellow T-Crafter out.
P.S.
I got my Seaplane rating and I can't wait to get the T-craft on the water. I hear they make excellent seaplanes.
Dan
N44008
I have seen and have written threads about tailwheel shimmy on my maule tailwheel. I had the problem solved, but I ran into a problem I thought I should share with those of you who may have experienced this on your planes. I flew down to Traverse City, Michigan this weekend to get my seaplane rating and I had a relatively uneventful return home...until I landed at my final destination. My tailwheel started to shimmy, and I soon lost all direction control of the aircraft. Not wanting to perform a ground loop in front of numerous spectators, I added some power to get directional control from my rudder until I got the plane under control. It seems that the several times previously that I had experienced the shimmy...it put stress on the post that goes up into the rudder. This post is bolted to the "rudder tube" and allows for steering via the rudders. The post broke off clean up inside the rudder and regardless of my efforts I could not steer the airplane on the ground. Sooo, I guess if you've had similar trouble with your Maule tailwheel...I would suggest having it inspected before something bad happens. I'm just sharing my experience in hopes that it will help a fellow T-Crafter out.
P.S.
I got my Seaplane rating and I can't wait to get the T-craft on the water. I hear they make excellent seaplanes.
Dan
N44008
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