Matco tailwheel

[N74DV]

Re: Matco tailwheel

an old thread resurrected!

I've been flying the Matco 6" on the Tcraft for about a year and a half now and around 80 hours and hundreds of landings. I like it. It sometimes doesn't lock back into center as easily as a Scott but a little brake stabbing and rudder wiggling and it's back in line.

Sure.. if $$ is no object a Scott or Maule may be preferred, but for the price it is I think the Matco a wonderful swivel tailwheel.

[jCandlish]

Re: Matco tailwheel

The tailwheel is listed on the type cert so it is a major alteration, This means 337 stc or field approval, not just a logbook entry. Tim

Thanks.

Once again, and until the 26th when my annual is scheduled, I'll ask: "is anybody flying this tailwheel with the correct paperwork"?

I have 100+ landings on the Matco 6" pneumatic and I like it very much.

I have an IA that is very willing to work with me, but I don't know about the European FSDO.

I want to keep flying this tailwheel until it is broken, so any supporting documentation would be a huge help.

---
Finally, to all of you Alphabet-Soup guys on this forum: Can someone confirm that the Frankfurt International Field Office (IFO) has a FSDO capabilty? Or I'm set to find out the hard way pretty soon.
---

Thanks
jC
.

[astjp2]

Re: Matco tailwheel

FWIW, I recommend the Matco. I like them because the parts are not highly loaded small pins or keys like Scott and Maule. There will be a Matco on mine as soon as the Maule wears out. I have had two Matco tailwheels on T-crafts and they worked fine.

Check with your IA, but I suspect a rather simple logbook entry can be made saying "replaced tailwheel with new unit meeting original certification requirements of CAR 04.442", and be done with it.

The tailwheel is listed on the type cert so it is a major alteration, This means 337 stc or field approval, not just a logbook entry. Tim

[Len Petterson]

Re: Matco tailwheel

Hm I never heard if the Ground loop "Gods"!:doh:
I will do the dance described before the next flight, just in case.:rolleyes2:
Why: you asked?:tdown:
Dumb ?

[jCandlish]

Re: Matco tailwheel

Bump.

Its annual time again and I really want a sign-off for the Matco 6" pneumatic tailwheel.

Short and sweet: Who is leagal? How did you get there? When in doubt please P.M. me on this issue.

Thankx
jC

[jgerard]

Re: Matco tailwheel

Problems I have had with the lightweight maule tailwheels is that the upper body that the bushing is pressed into becomes out of round and even with a new bushing the tailwheel becomes loose after a few landings. The only fix would be reaming the body out to make it round again but then you would need a custom bushing. I have heard that the QC from Maule is not the best, and some tailwheels are great, others require constant attention. Improper tail spring setup will wear out a brand new tailwheel fast so treat it like a system. If the leaf springs are screwed up don't expect a new tailwheel to solve the shimmy or steering problems. I wheel landed for about a year every time I was on pavement because I did not realize my leaf springs were twisted causing the tailwheel to shimmy. I put 3 bushings in the same tailwheel before I realized the body was toast. I fixed the springs, put a new tailwheel on and no more problems.

[N74DV]

Re: Matco tailwheel

well... I have about 20 landings on the new Matco T-6 tailwheel. I like it. The full swivel is handy... especially manuevering into my spot on the ramp. The locking mechanism is different than the Scott's that I'm used to in that the Matco seems to need to roll forward a bit more to lock back in but once you get used to the slight difference it's no problem. 3 point landings are a non-issue and there's no shimmy whatsoever.

IMO a great inexpensive alternative to traditional Scott/Maule solutions.

[GLB]

Re: Matco tailwheel

Hi Bill, I'm not knocking the Matco but the experience I had with it on my Kitfox which isn't a heavy plane was that after about 90 to 100 hrs it would not steer or swivel, the bolts that hold the release levers were loose and the there was drit etc in the swivel mech. after removing it and cleaning and replacing the bolts it worked fine for another 90 to 100 hrs and then the same thing all over, removed it installed a Lang and no more steering problems, I did replace the bolts and cleaned the Matco again and it is good to go for another 90 to 100 hrs. But I think they are as good as a Maule anyday, I for the most part only fly from grass strips and when the Matco was in good shape it preform good maybe only landed on hard surfaces a dozen times it never shimmied I can't say that for the (*%#*) Maule thats on my Champ.
In fact I just may consider the new 8" pneumatic.
GB

[N74DV]

Re: Matco tailwheel

about the only maintenance I can see them using is a regular cleaning and lubing. Maybe hose it off and keep it clean every 25 hours or so.... It's an incredibly simple design... but having not flown one I cannot comment accuratley on that. I'll report back in a few months after I have around 50 hours on it.

[VictorBravo]

Re: Matco tailwheel

What model of Matco tailwheel are you going with?
I had a solid wheel Matco on my Kitfox while most of the time it worked good, I think they require more maint. then say the Scotts, but one can buy a new Matco every 2 years and throw away the used one for years for the price of one Scott.
GB

If the Matco requires more maintenance I am very surprised. The one I had was so simple and the "loaded" parts were so much thicker than the Scott or Maule... where to you think the Matco needs maintenance?? On the wheel itself??

[N74DV]

Re: Matco tailwheel

I have the T-6 hard wheel version. I see they have recently come out with a 6" pneumatic version,

[GLB]

Re: Matco tailwheel

What model of Matco tailwheel are you going with?
I had a solid wheel Matco on my Kitfox while most of the time it worked good, I think they require more maint. then say the Scotts, but one can buy a new Matco every 2 years and throw away the used one for years for the price of one Scott.
GB

[N74DV]

Re: Matco tailwheel

yep... that's what I gathered from the discussions. As soon as my new leaf springs arrive I'll have it all installed.

I did swap out my old tension springs for compression springs and did a flight today. Better handling at taxi speeds but when doing a 3 point it seems like she shimmy's a bit. I won't fiddle with it for now cause it's all coming off with the Matco install. I normally wheel land anyway.

[barnstmr]

Re: Matco tailwheel

DJ
Gary (LostnSpace) emailed me to set me straight... He's right... Since no approval is required, this wouldn't require a 337, which are only used for MAJOR alterations. Just a logbook entry and you should be good to go.

[N74DV]

Re: Matco tailwheel

I looked at my Matco in detail last night and I'm impressed with the swivel design. simple. Hopefully it'll work well on the Tcraft. Should have it installed in about 2 weeks.

Before I go up I'll do a quick chant and dance to the Ground Loop Gods for thier mercy upon the first few landings. :rolleyes2: :dance: