Rudder Control

[Sal]

During landing in a crosswind I applied righ rudder and had to also apply my right brake to keep the aircraft from turning on me during the landing roll. Then it was very apparent to me that I had no rudder control at all. You can guess what happened then. Is this normal..My question is, why did I lose rudder control..

[dewhitaker]

Re: Rudder Control

Are your tailwheel springs hooked up? Or did one or both of them come loose? Also, make sure the control wheel is fully back in your lap to help keep the tailwheel firmly planted on the ground as the aircraft is slowing down.

Any damage, or did you just get a "panoramic" view of the runway? Hope all is well.

[Sal]

Re: Rudder Control

Got the panoramic view but no damage..after the aircraft was stopped and when i started to taxi again i had full rudder control. Beats me what happened. If I apply say right brake to make a sharp right turn while taxing and then apply left rudder shouldn't I have full rudder control?

[flyguy]

Re: Rudder Control

Many, most, all (?) tailwheels unlock as a matter of normal operation. Unfortunately they may do it when you don't want them too. A maule I had was assembled incorrectly and would come loose at the slightest provocation.

If you went sharply to one side using the brake that would do it.

Are you saying that you never have used the swivel function for a short turn before? The tailwheel steering mechanism in the tailwheel will not lock up and return to normal function until the tailwheel is lined up straight or nearly straight again.
DC

[Sal]

Re: Rudder Control

I have used the rudder pedal and brake for a sharp turn before but only for parking. I've never had it where i had no rudder control though.

[Pearson]

Re: Rudder Control

Sal,

When you applied the right rudder and brake during landing, was your tail wheel on the ground? Or had you done a wheel landing and still had the tail wheel in the air? If the tail wheel was still in the air it might be that you just had a LOT of crosswind and didn't have enough rudder authority to overcome it.

Another possibility, if the tail wheel was on the ground, is that you were still traveling fast enough for the elevator to hold some of the weight of the tail. That is why it is important to pull the yoke all the way back once the tail wheel is down.

If you use the brakes to make a tight turn and the tail wheel unlocks, you have to travel straight for a few feet to get it to relock. If you are having trouble getting it to relock, there may be something worn in your tail wheel steering mechanism. Sometimes as you travel straight for a few feet it helps to jiggle the rudder pedals with your feet.

I hope this helps. If you find something else, let us all know.