tailwheel broke off

[N96337]

Re: tailwheel broke off

Vincent, I do have copies...but my scanner is kaput...I'll try to get them transcribed onto a word doc and see if I can either Post them or email to you.
JH

[VictorBravo]

Re: tailwheel broke off

My IA told me that since the certification basis for my BC-65 is CAR 3 or CAR 4 and not FAR Part 23 that I could use ANY aircraft tire that is rated for the weight and speed. And ANY tailwheel, as well as a few other things.

I am being presumptuous, but isn't the certification basis for the BC-12D also CAR 3 or 4?

[Dusty]

Re: tailwheel broke off

VB: If you don't get caught, I want your mechanic!

[VictorBravo]

Re: tailwheel broke off

He is fairly knowledgable and said that CAR certified airplanes can have far more freedom in choosing airframe accessories like tires and tailwheels than later Part 23 airplanes. He swears that the autority to make those choices is in black and white within CAR 4...

[peerlesscowboy]

Re: tailwheel broke off

My Taylorcraft has a solid rubber tire Maule tailwheel, never experienced a shimmy problem with it. Friend of mine had a Taylorcraft with a little larger (standard sized I guess) pnuematic tire Maule tailwheel, I flew it a few times, the shimmy was terrible! My understanding was that a heavier control spring on one side than the other might have fixed the problem but instead he installed a Scott pnuematic tailwheel and the problem went away. Not the Scott 3200, but the lighter duty one.

John C. Saubak (;f

[AKTcrafter]

Re: tailwheel broke off

I've bought and sold quite a few taildraggers over the last 28 years and the first thing I do if I buy one that has a Maule tailwheel is to throw the tailwheel away and get a Scott. They too can shimmy but are infinitely superior to the Maule tailwheel. The angle of the fork is important (i.e. flattened tail spring) to keep the Scott from shimmying but most shimmy problems are caused by the lack of maintenance that seems to be common on most tailwheel equipped airplanes. GOod luck with the wobbles!

[Len Petterson]

Re: tailwheel broke off

There seems to be as many reasons for the tailwhell shimmy as occurences, here is another one: My friends Thorp T 18 started shimmy after we changed tire on the tailwheel. The old tire had only 150 hr on it and was loose on the rim, To me it indicateds what somethng was wrong with it to, What? I can't teremined it for shure but the tailwheel looks as it is off centerline, but it is right under the rudder.
He also packed the bearing with to much grease. It is still in the shop so we dont know if it the problem is fixed or not.
Len

[imolnar]

Re: tailwheel broke off

I just flew the aircraft after replacing the leaf spring and tailwheel (Alaska Bushwheel). No shimmy. Glad to be back flying.
Istvan

[stormman]

Re: tailwheel broke off now lets fix it

Hell Guys it all ball bearings and 3 in one oil!
Its a shopping cart wheel and as others have pointed out in the fork angle.
Loosen up the tail wheel bolt MAKING SURE its a nylon lock nut and place a shim to increase or decrease the fork angle, Usally increase is what you want. use 1/4 . 3/8, 0r 7/16 bolts as it only temporary RIGHT? OK maybe it will be on a year or too but thats temporary. You should be able to push the tail around when the fork angle is correct and not skid the tire sideways. When you have the correct angle figured out make a shim or remove the spring and bend it to fit. NOW don't be scared its only a tailwheel and not rocket science and in less than an hour your will be up to a 100 mph taxie with no shimmie. 12 hours if your drinking beer ! I believe you can taxie with a beer but just don't take off or quote me on that. Now get that fixed and you will be inpressing yourself with your newfound straightline landings too.

[N96337]

Re: tailwheel broke off

Here's a link to a copy of the article that was on the SWPC site... well worth the read....
JH

http://www.backcountrypilot.org/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=687