ExtraKatana
Well Known Member
I am a new (RV8) owner and I did my first four 3 point landings today. The first three were noneventful. The fourth, the tail wheel became full swivel. I did a zigzag down the runway as I was pinning the stick in my crotch. I did not use anywhere near full rudder as wind was down the runway and I had a high-time tail-wheel instructor in the back that re-affirmed it was not a hard landing. I owned a super decathlon for 200hrs last year and I realize the 8 requires quicker, smaller foot movements, it never did this. The owner told me (like it was a known problem and prior to this happening) sometimes the locking pin and spring gets gummed up. He lives on a dort/sod runway where the plane had been for 7 years. His premonition did not take long to manifest. Any hints or tips/tricks to keep that locking pin from popping out so readily? Any tell-tell signs that it needs replacement? The pin never did re-engage. Will dissasemble.
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