by gyroron » Tue Apr 21, 2020 6:33 am
keep in mind, if you have the stock Sonex drum or even their upgraded hydro brakes... unless you have made some way to have differential braking... a full swivel tailwheel is not something you will want for your sonex. You need to have control over each brake separately to be able to lock or unlock the tailwheel.
There is a possibility that if the locking action is strong enough, you might be able to use one on a sonex with stock brakes, but you would only be able to use the advantages of it swiveling around by manually unlocking it, and really the only advantage at that point would be to be able to push the plane backways on the ramp or into or around the hangar.
I personally think the stock brake set up is cheesy and wish I had toe brakes. You can have so much more control over take-off and landing and taxi operations when you can individually control the brakes. I am sure what the plane comes with is probably the lightest, cheapest and most simple way of providing braking to the airplane and that is why it comes with what it comes with.
Speaking of tailwheels... my plane has a modified version of the older style stock steel set up. Everything is loose and wore out. The wheel is a 4 inch wheel, and it has plenty of wear and its loud. With everything loose on the tailwheel assembly, the plane requires you to really stay active on the rudder pedals as it won't track straight and true.
I talked to the people at Flyboy about their tailwheel set ups...
I also strongly considered ordering the new improved tailwheel set up from Sonex...
Then found Peter Anson in Australia and his products, and really liked that he was offering a tailwheel with a rubber tire that you pump up. I feel like that should be far better in side to side traction and much less noise. Sadly, because of this Covid pandemic, it may never arrive here thou. It was mailed out to me March 24th, and its still sitting at the post office in Melborne, almost a month later. I am beyond excited to get the parts and get them installed though. Hopefully they find their way onto a plane or boat sometime soon.
Ron Awad
Legacy Model Waiex TD
3300 Jabiru
Charlotte NC area