Steerable nosewheel

S

skydiverlv

Well Known Member

• May 11, 2012

• #1

Bet you didnt know Vans was holding out on us and installed a steerable nosewheel on 912VA.
Somebody been molesting the file photo. I noticed this on the Bruces Covers website
Hey JetGuy. this could be your next project

 

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tim walter

Well Known Member

• May 11, 2012

• #2

skydiverlv said:

Bet you didnt know Vans was holding out on us and installed a steerable nosewheel on 912VA.
Somebody been molesting the file photo. I noticed this on the Bruces Covers website
Hey JetGuy. this could be your next project

Click to expand...

that's the original proof of concept RV-12

see also how it has a wing mounted pitot mast:

 

bigbill25

Well Known Member

• May 11, 2012

• #3

It had a hand brake, too...

 

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JBPILOT

Well Known Member

• May 11, 2012

• #4

I forgot about - -

The wing tip handles.

John Bender

 

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DaveLS

Well Known Member

• May 11, 2012

• #5

Different airfoil

Less leg room

Any other changes from the proof of concept prototype?

N number transferred to the east coast demonstrator - New Blue

 

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NCGAPilot

Active Member

• May 11, 2012

• #6

So why did they get rid of the steerable nose wheel?

 

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Walt Shipley

Active Member

• May 11, 2012

• #7

Steerable nosewheel? Yikes, too dang heavy and totally not needed IMHO.

Walt

 

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pilottangocharlie

Well Known Member

• May 11, 2012

• #8

Walt Shipley said:

Steerable nosewheel? Yikes, too dang heavy and totally not needed IMHO.

Walt

Click to expand...

I agree. It looks much better with the castoring nose wheel. Perhaps there is a little less maintenance attention for the castoring design as well?

 

DonFromTX

Well Known Member

• May 11, 2012

• #9

My last two airplanes had steerable nose wheels, lots of maintenance problems and I did not like them that much anyhow. I am looking forward to the castoring one.

 

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ArlingtonRV

Well Known Member

• May 11, 2012

• #10

I love flying my RV-12, I hate taxiing it. I guess I'm just lazy but I prefer the third wheel to be steerable.

 

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yankee-flyer

Well Known Member

• May 11, 2012

• #11

Just like the Yankee

I flew an AA-1 for almost 14 years before building the 12. Aside from a bit more wear on the brakes, you'll love the castoring nosewheel when you get used to it. Besides the much tighter turning radius (spin around on one wheel) you can touch down with rudder in a forward slip without having the airplane dart to one side as soon as the nosewheel touches.

Wayne 143WM

 

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NASA515

Well Known Member

• May 11, 2012

• #12

This is the NLG that Van's has needed all along. It's what "real" airplanes use. I designed this fork years ago.

I don't see where it's necessarily "steerable." You can make a castering nose wheel with torque links - AND - it has an oleo! No more stick back for taxi, T/O and landing. Like a Super Cub. No more chuck hole flips. And - As they say on the TV - that's not all folks - it opens the possibility of big tires all around and some serious back-country flying. I can already picture my -12 with Tundra tires. And then,.......

Bob Bogash
N737G
(making progress.... I think?....)