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Re: Tailwheel steering
My tailwheel springs are slightly twisted from some intergalactic battle before I was born. The tailwheel pivot axis is not vertical (when viewed from the rear), and indeed the Maule tailwheel tire is worn on one side noticeably. The tire is a trapezoid shape instead of a rounded rectangle!
The airplane is still completely controllable, but it probably does turn one way easier than the other.
Look and see if your tailwheel tire is worn evenly. See if your tailwheel pivot axis is vertical seen from the rear.
I have heard it mentinoed that the pivot axis should be vertical when viewed from the side, but I cannot see how this could be possible with the arch f the stock tail spring.
Ironically I just had been looking into composite leaf springs for the tailwheel, since they would be 1/3 of the weight of steel and not rust.
My tailwheel springs are slightly twisted from some intergalactic battle before I was born. The tailwheel pivot axis is not vertical (when viewed from the rear), and indeed the Maule tailwheel tire is worn on one side noticeably. The tire is a trapezoid shape instead of a rounded rectangle!
The airplane is still completely controllable, but it probably does turn one way easier than the other.
Look and see if your tailwheel tire is worn evenly. See if your tailwheel pivot axis is vertical seen from the rear.
I have heard it mentinoed that the pivot axis should be vertical when viewed from the side, but I cannot see how this could be possible with the arch f the stock tail spring.
Ironically I just had been looking into composite leaf springs for the tailwheel, since they would be 1/3 of the weight of steel and not rust.
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