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How Straight is Your Tailwheel
Posted:
Tue May 10, 2016 2:08 pmby Direct C51
I just completed my tailwheel assembly with the Sonex 6" machined tailwheel. As careful as I was to drill the tail spring precisely straight, it somehow got canted in the multiple up drilling. With the tailspring bracket on a level surface, the tailwheel is canted 7 degrees. I would imagine the tailwheel will naturally want to be level, causing it to steer 7 degrees to the left. How close did you guys get your tailwheel, and has any cant caused ground handling troubles?
Re: How Straight is Your Tailwheel
Posted:
Tue May 10, 2016 2:36 pmby Bryan Cotton
Mine is pretty straight! Screwed up, welded a sleeve on, got it right on try 2.
Re: How Straight is Your Tailwheel
Posted:
Tue May 10, 2016 8:51 pmby Darick
Yep, mine is off a bit too. I would imagine it would eventually wear to the degree that it is canted. I intended to see how bad it taxied before trying to make it perfectly straight.
Re: How Straight is Your Tailwheel
Posted:
Tue May 10, 2016 9:12 pmby fastj22
You will want it straight. Mine is slightly off and it pulls a bit to on side.
Re: How Straight is Your Tailwheel
Posted:
Wed May 11, 2016 7:17 pmby DCASonex
The tail wheel is designed offset like a caster, and tries to act like one. Canted to the side will definitely have an adverse effect. If you have a common swivel caster around, hold it by hand and tip to one side. That should provide all the convincing you will need.
David A. Sonex TD