SonexBuilders.net

Hello, everyone. After many weeks of waiting for a prototype, I now have a new tailwheel bracket! After 340 landings I found myself dragging the tailwheel pivot bolt across airport ramps all over the country, not to mention the destruction of my ventral fin. Let's face it, the stock tailwheel clearance may be good enough for the taxiways of Oshkosh but other airports hold many taxi "traps", tie down rings, potholes, uneven pavement ect.

This bracket is made for the Van's mini tailwheel...

http://www.vansaircraft.com/cgi-bin/cat ... LW-t-wheel

Yes, it's pricey but what is your beautiful ventral fin worth? The bearings are sealed and the tread will likely last way longer than the stock wheel. Three stock wheels will pay for one Van's and I was ready to buy my third (one tread worn and the other with shot bearings).

If it appears that the clearance is tight from the tailwheel and the rudder in the picture, it was. I extended the production brackets 1/4 for clearance, mainly for the Waiex. The Sonex clearance was not a problem.

I made three landings today and steering authority seems to be improved. The overall ride...like a Cadillac.... :lol: . Completly quiet and very smooth.

Now, the numbers...

Weight and Balance

One more...

Very nicely done Kip!

Bob Mika and I modified our original Sonex tailwheel brackets to take 5" wheels. This completely cured the problem of scraping the tailwheel bolt and also made for smoother taxiing....no more Sonex "thump" everytime you taxi over a crack in the pavement. We welded on some .090 plates to the side of the old bracket.

The tailwheel is from Wicks....$30
http://www.wicksaircraft.com/catalog/pr ... ec183ada52

Both of these solutions look nice. I'm going to move this thread to general discussion so it doesnt get deleted from classifieds after 60 days.

I plan to have 25 of these for ready by the time Crossville rolls around (October 8th). I will bring some to Crossville...:)

Kip...do you have a price estimate for one? Any chance I can reserve one? ;)

Mike, they will be $75 shipped with the longer AN bolt included.

The few, the proud, at Sonexbuilders.net will have the first ones.

YX pilots and builders are automatically at the front of the line... :lol:


Actually, only the first 10 I expect to go quick so there should be plenty available. If they go fast, I'll have another 25 made....

Kip

I'm in...I have a long way until I need it but it looks like a great solution.