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04-18-2018, 09:21 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 745
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Too much slack in tailwheel chains?
There's another post about using or not using flaps in cross wind landings. Let me throw a new wrinkle in this discussion. I "think" I've got too much slack in my tailwheel chains, making it take longer when I hit the rudder pedals for the rudder/tailwheel to react in strong crosswinds. What say the rest of you guys? Do you have your chains really tight, ie, no slack? Slightly loose? Or really loose?
I think I need to take a link or 2 out of my tailwheel chains---but I'd like to get some input first. 
Last edited by donaziza : 04-18-2018 at 09:22 AM.
Reason: spelling
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04-18-2018, 09:30 AM
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Senior Curmudgeon
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
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Do you have springs in the chains?
In a prior life, I flew a 48 Stinson, when I got it there were no springs in the chains and it was a bear to control. Added springs and took out most of the slack and it tamed the beast.
Compression springs like these are what I used.
I suspect tension type springs are not a good choice.

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Mike Starkey
VAF 909
Rv-10, N210LM.
Flying as of 12/4/2010
Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011 
Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.
"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
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04-18-2018, 09:38 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
Posts: 10,769
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I agree with Mike. Compression springs minimal slack.
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Mel Asberry, DAR since the last century.
EAA Flight Advisor/Tech Counselor, Friend of the RV-1
Recipient of Tony Bingelis Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
USAF Vet, High School E-LSA Project Mentor.
RV-6 Flying since 1993 (sold)
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04-18-2018, 10:01 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 745
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Yes, I do have springs---like the ones in Mike's first picture.
Last edited by donaziza : 04-18-2018 at 10:08 AM.
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04-18-2018, 10:16 AM
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VAF Moderator / Line Boy
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 12,256
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Tight chains vs slack in chains is a religious argument that I believe started between Wilbur and Orville.....I have great friends who are great (and we’ll respected)pilots on both sides of the argument. Both obviously work. Personally, I like tailwheel links, but I fly lots of planes with chains - loose and tight -and I just adapt.
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Editor at Large - KITPLANES Magazine
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RV-3B - N13PL - "Tsamsiyu"
A&P, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor
Dayton Valley Airpark (A34)
http://Ironflight.com
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04-18-2018, 10:20 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Battleground
Posts: 4,348
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I refuse to believe that one or the other, slack or not, makes that much difference. However, there have been more than one runway departure caused by "pilot induced" oscillation theorized to be caused by too tight of chains/link. I know of two, both low time pilots who over-controlled per their own admission. One changed his set up (looser) until he got more hours, then went back to the tighter set up (link). A very experienced transition trainer will caution against too tight of chains for a tailwheel newbie for these reasons.
I keep my "chains" on the looser side, but that is just personal preference, and not for any other reason as I do not feel it makes that much of a difference in a cross wind. You should already be slipping to keep the airplane from drifting and your slack should be gone. If your slack isn't gone, it isn't that much of a crosswind to worry about.
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04-18-2018, 10:45 AM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Inver Grove Hgts, MN
Posts: 329
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I still have the old style, non-swiveling tailwheel(!). Tight chains limit rudder travel, even with springs, due to the geometry of the two control horns. I'd rather have the rudder so my chains are slack. Most Pitts Specials I've seen have a full-swivel locking tailwheel (the Haigh was a good one I'm told) with no link to the rudder. I think if you are down to depending on the tailwheel to stop a groundloop you are already too far gone.
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Mike Hilger
RV-6 N207AM w/G3X, 1,600 hours +
South St. Paul, MN (KSGS)
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04-18-2018, 11:11 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Fredericksburg, TX
Posts: 662
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I too started out with lose chains/springs (stock settup). I didn't like it and switched to the Rocket Link which I like much better. As previously mentioned, I think it's "personal preference."
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Jim Averett
RV-8
TS36 - Silver Wings
Fredericksburg, TX
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04-18-2018, 11:31 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: new iberia la
Posts: 768
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Springs
Is there a problem with tension springs?
Don B
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04-18-2018, 12:12 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
Posts: 10,769
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cajunwings
Is there a problem with tension springs?
Don B
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Tension springs are fine up to a point. Compression springs have a limiting factor in that they stop when completely compressed. Tension springs don't have that feature, so they can continue to stretch until they eventually loose a portion of their tension.
__________________
Mel Asberry, DAR since the last century.
EAA Flight Advisor/Tech Counselor, Friend of the RV-1
Recipient of Tony Bingelis Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
USAF Vet, High School E-LSA Project Mentor.
RV-6 Flying since 1993 (sold)
<rvmel(at)icloud.com>
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