SonexBuilders.net

Happy New Year to all!
Ok, new year has me flying off an old USAF field in N.Tx. the taxi and rwys are all very robust and in pretty good shape. However, the solid tail wheel , as we know, has no coushoning effect, and the noise is worrying, to say the least. slowing down doesnot help.
So, a question: with my existing 6in solid wheel ass'y, what have you menbers used to convert to a pnumatic wheel, tire, and tube? I have looked at Peter Ansons item, but as a scratch builder, I would like to find the wheel, tire,tube and integrate it into/onto what I already have. Where do Iook for such an item, that wont ruin my credit with my CFO? any info/ideas would be kindly appreciated!!

Fly safe, as always!

Hi Joe
If you already have a 6" wheel, a Peter Anson wheel should possibly fit without changing anything else. That taxying noise from the solid wheel will be totally eliminated. The only downside is you will have to periodically replace the tire and you may get a puncture. Peter's items are really are good value and inexpensive. Especially allowing for the USD - AUD exchange rate.
I also like sctatch building stuff I made my own fully swivelling tailwheel assembly and wheel. I had the aluminium for the wheel and just had to buy the bearings, tire, tube and turn down the wheel. The wheel itself was a lot of work and probably not worth the effort.
Steve

There are many scooter and wheel chair pneumatic tires & wheels that may fit. Come to think of it, sounds like an upgrade I might be interested in. Consider there is only about 35lbs static weight on these things it should not take much. Though without deferential braking the loss of the wheel could be a really big deal. Might want to ask the factory if there is a reason they use a solid wheel.

Search (scooter 6 inch wheel tire).

Thanks much for the info! I am aware of Peters tail wheel, and may go that direction. However, I do want to investigate some opotions on wheels and tires before I commit to one item. If...when...I fine something usable, i will probably attempt to fit it, even if I have to remake the swivel part of the tail wheel.

IMHO, i think sonex designed with the 4 in solid wheel for several reasons, lightness, simplicity, and cost. These are not bad things, it just means that there will be much mmore noise on convrete runways, vs blacktop rwys. Again just IMHO!!

Hi Joe, I can supply the wheel with plug in spacers so that it fits directly into the Sonex 6" caster. As well as being quieter, the pneumatic wheel grips better and is lighter than even the 4" solid wheel.

Peter

n502pd wrote:it just means that there will be much more noise on convrete runways

It's funny - I'm used to it and just ignore it now. However passengers who are also pilots are generally horrified the first time they hear it. :-)

GraemeSmith wrote:

n502pd wrote:it just means that there will be much more noise on convrete runways

It's funny - I'm used to it and just ignore it now. However passengers who are also pilots are generally horrified the first time they hear it. :-)

I am also used to it. After hearing all the talk on the forum I thought it would be a mandatory change. I think I'm happy with it the way it is.

It's not noisy in the air!

The 4"solid doesn't make much noise at all on grass BUT tends to make tram rails/dig in on soft ground.

We have had more rain - grass strip/taxi way taking longer to dry out and even then there are soft areas, that require extra power and forward stick (tail lift) to not get bogged.

The 6" tail wheel is starting to look like a more desirable option.

My 4" API (https://apitailwheels.com/) works very well when the ground is dry/firm but is a bit of a pain (in the rear end:)) after rain. The API 6" (+ assembly) will add a little over 1kg to the tail. If I were to substitute a Peter Anson pneumatic wheel, for the solid 6", this may be reduced to around + .5 kg.

Thoughts from the Brains Trust????

I replaced the complete Sonex supplied Light weight tail wheel assembly (Mass 1133grams) with the Anson 6" assembly with aluminum rim (Mass 725 grams). So, .408 kg (0.9 lb) lighter