Tail-wheel authority on a BC12-D

[Gordon Last]

Hi, I am a proud new owner of a BC12-D1. The privious owner installed a Maule tail-wheel. I don't seem to have any tail-wheel authority. I have flown other tail-draggers, most recently an Aeronca Chief, and didn't have this problem.
I'm also interested to know if anyone knows of any performance specs as far as take-off distances over fifty foot obsticle at altitude/density altitude.
Any info is appreciated, Thanks, Gordon...

[VictorBravo]

Re: Tail-wheel authority on a BC12-D

Hi, I am a proud new owner of a BC12-D1. The privious owner installed a Maule tail-wheel. I don't seem to have any tail-wheel authority. I have flown other tail-draggers, most recently an Aeronca Chief, and didn't have this problem.
I'm also interested to know if anyone knows of any performance specs as far as take-off distances over fifty foot obsticle at altitude/density altitude.
Any info is appreciated, Thanks, Gordon...

A Maule tailwheel should give you good steering authority if it is properly installed and set up. Take some digital photos of the installation and post them on this Forum, surely someone will be able to diagnose the problem pretty fast. Do you have the "tension" springs or the "compression" springs? Is the tailwheel loose on the leaf spring, is the leaf spring loose in the fuselage, etc???

[KewFlyer]

Re: Tail-wheel authority on a BC12-D

Gordon:
Congratulations on your new plane.
The springs should not sag or have excessive play. I keep mine pretty straight...and with just little tension on them. Be careful, the reaction time has to be good once you get them tight.... it will keep on your toes. Hope this helps
Ralph

[Pearson]

Re: Tail-wheel authority on a BC12-D

Gordon,

I have a Maul tailwheel on my plane. Originally it had very strong springs about an inch in diameter. I had very good tailwheel control. Then one day one of the springs departed the aircraft upon landing. I could not find a similar replacement, so I had to install a pair of weaker springs. I also moused them in, so they would stay with the airplane. But since installing the weaker springs, my control authority is considerably less.

So if you feel your control authority should be greater, once you check all the things Bill mentioned above, you may try experimenting with stronger springs. Just make sure that whatever springs you have are moused on with safety wire.

BTW, the reason the spring departed my aircraft was the long bolt holding the forward end of the leaf spring was loose. This caused a shimmy on landing that slung the control spring off.

[Richard Boyer]

Re: Tail-wheel authority on a BC12-D

I have a Maule tailwheel also and it works well. Put the tail up on a saw horse and move the tailwheel around. Is it locking? It will be very hard to release when rotating counter clockwise and much easier going clockwise (I think.....). The point is you should hear a solid click and to break the lock you will have to use quite a bit of energy in one direction and not as much in the other. If it unlocks really easy (or it doesn't lock at all) you need to rebuild the tailwheel (spruce has ALL the parts).

When you tighten the top nut you want the tailwheel to be a bit "stiff" to rotate. I use to tighten mine like a wheel bearing and got WAY too much shimmey.

Have fun!

[jgerard]

Re: Tail-wheel authority on a BC12-D

Gordon,

I can help. My shop is over at the Monroe airport. My main focus is tube and fabric tailwheel aircraft and have perviously owned 2 Taylorcrafts, and maintain 3 of them for customers. Is your plane the white/red trim one parked in the open T hangers near the road? I'll pop over to Harvey's and take a look at it today.

206.930.2332

[Pearson]

Re: Tail-wheel authority on a BC12-D

Wow! Now THAT is what I call service.

[jgerard]

Re: Tail-wheel authority on a BC12-D

I looked at your plane today, Or what I thought was your plane(white with red tail, grey trim, and observer doors) and see the problem. It's very common on tayorcrafts to not get the steering springs set up correctly. You need shorter springs and I think I have a pair in my tool box. Give me a call or fly-over to Monroe sometime this week and I'll fix you up.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Tail-wheel authority on a BC12-D

This forumn just makes me PROUD!! keep it up gang , the new guys need the help.

[Frank DeBartolo]

Re: Tail-wheel authority on a BC12-D

Tribe,

What are the best alternatives for tailwheel springs for the T-Craft. I have been using Scott tension springs (moused) on a Maule tailwheel but I think the springs might be too long and not stout enough. I have become accustomed to how it handles on the ground now, but have never been satisfied with the authority during slow maneuvers especially locking the tailwheel after it unlocks on concrete. On grass it seems to be OK.

Frank D
N43684

[jgerard]

Re: Tail-wheel authority on a BC12-D

Gordon,

I'm going to be unavailable until this weekend. If the weather permits, fly it over and we can get it all fixed up.