Maintain those tailwheels

[rv8ch]

Originally Posted by DanH

Direct 15 G25? I think the goal is knowing how to do it, and how to avoid proving it.

Tailwheel maintenance:

https://www.danhorton.net/Articles/1...lTuneUp.pd.pdf

Great article, Dan. What grease do you recommend?

[DanH]

Originally Posted by rv8ch

Great article, Dan. What grease do you recommend?

Do it often enough that it doesn't matter.

[dgarrelt63303]

Dan H, in the article, what are the part numbers of the fittings used to attach the springs to the tailwheel control arm?

[Ed_Wischmeyer]

My RV-8 had that problem when I bought it and flew it home, coast to coast. I couldn't figure out why my tailwheel skills were so bad...

That experience made me gun shy, and certainly detracted from the joy of ownership...

[elev666]

Thanks for your words of wisdom guys , I just did my maintenance at my last annual in the fall but before that it was only done once in my first 150 hrs when I installed my Bell tail wheel on , I?m definitely uping my maintenance game after reading this post !

[DanH]

Originally Posted by dgarrelt63303

Dan H, in the article, what are the part numbers of the fittings used to attach the springs to the tailwheel control arm?

AN115 cable shackle. I despise the bent wire clips usually seen in that location.

BTW, IMHO this is the the best tailwheel ever: https://www.jdair.com/complete-tailw...y-for-vans-rv/

The roller elements on the shaft means it steers with minimal pedal pressure...like power steering. That relates right back to the lock pin issue discussed here. The pin and its companion notch in the steering arm links the steering arm and the fork, so if the fork is easier to turn, the pin sees less load.

[BillL]

I had the experience early in Phase I with a stuck pin. I think it was 4-5 flights before I discovered it. Not so bad, actually, as I had no significant cross wind. It was only found as the rudder did not latch on the ground when setting the tow bar, not from TO/Landing performance. Fix it, but don't fear it.

I used the tips from Flyboy to file and adjust the Vans unit and have had excellent results with a condition inspection interval. With the cold temps here I use oil, not grease, on the pin. Maybe, I will try a touch of speedometer cable grease, I have a 1000 yr supply. YMMV

[N941WR]

Early on I too had a stuck pin and didn't notice it until I went to a fly-in and realized the rudder was free to swing when I tied the plane down.

The little spring loaded locking pin developed a burr on it that kept it from going back out and locking the tailwheel in place. A little file solved that problem.

Later on, I replaced the pin with one made of hardened steel an the problem never returned.

[wawrzynskivp]

This is a topic I struggled with as I built my RV and began flying my first tailwheel aircraft.

I envisioned a crosswind situation which provided a peak need for directional control around the <=40 knot range right when when the tailwheel begins to take on directional control influences.

I hold ailerons and elevator as appropriate and naturally feed in rudder to counter the gust then 'click' the tailwheel castors by design right at the moment you need its full authority.

I am not saying that a controlled tailwheel is required, history shows it is not. But it seems that the sudden transition at the exact moment when you need consistent control response is a little problematic no?

[JonJay]

Originally Posted by wawrzynskivp

This is a topic I struggled with as I built my RV and began flying my first tailwheel aircraft.

I envisioned a crosswind situation which provided a peak need for directional control around the <=40 knot range right when when the tailwheel begins to take on directional control influences.

I hold ailerons and elevator as appropriate and naturally feed in rudder to counter the gust then 'click' the tailwheel castors by design right at the moment you need its full authority.

I am not saying that a controlled tailwheel is required, history shows it is not. But it seems that the sudden transition at the exact moment when you need consistent control response is a little problematic no?

Possibly. However, if you get the stick in your lap, and keep it there, at those speeds, there is a lot of down force on the tailwheel and it is going to help you keep things straight. You will transition out of your cross control quickly once the tailwheel makes contact.
This plays into the two schools of thought in crosswind landings. Those that prefer wheeling it on, and those that want that tail on the ground ASAP
Regardless, when you put the tail down, get the stick in your lap and keep it there, all sins are forgiven, and a properly maintained tailwheel should not unlock.