New Product - Lightest Tailwheel on the Market - Intro Price: $149.99 - @OSH at the CROW Booth

[dmat]

All,

** I will have the remaining stock of the first run of Gold Tailwheels at OSH. See it at the CROW booth (3065)**

I'm also having a OSH Special on all CROW Harness when ordered on my website. Use Code: OSH24

I wanted to offer the VAF community the first look at my newest product being offered by Fairings-Etc (formerly Cranford Aviation).

I would like to introduce the "Gold Standard" Tailwheel.

Light weight: A completely new design reducing weight to only 22.4oz (1.4lb) making it the lightest tailwheel in it's class.

Advanced Technology: Incorporating 4x sealed bearings with a center spacer and the latest advancements in Extruded Aluminum, increasing durability and strength.

Customizable: Match your tailwheel with your personality/paint scheme. Custom anodized Colors available (Red - Blue - Black - Silver) at an additional charge
*Note: Gold anodizing is standard*

Note: custom colors are in que and will be ready in about a 1-1.5mo.

Designed and Made in the USA!

Warranty: 2000 take-off & landing cycle/ 10yr money back guarantee, whichever one comes first. (guarantee covers the failure of materials or workmanship, including defects, discovered through normal wear)

My current production run is setup for 3/8" axle and all anodized Gold. 1/2”&5/8” is in development

Introductory Price: $149.99 shipped (use coupon code “freeship”) for the gold ones in stock and can be purchased at Fairings-Etc/CranfordAviation

 

[RV8JD]

Looks nice, but pricey. What is the rubber material and its durometer?

How long before the Red anodized version is available? I see on the website that colors other than Gold are $10 more.

 

[dmat]

The rubber is a 75A polyurethane specifically designed for tuff surfaces and high rebound.

Red will be available once I have an understanding of the market. I currently have 18x of the gold in stock and ready to ship (Gold is the standard color). I can have another production run completed within 6 weeks but would want to know colors before I start anodizing a bunch of colors.

 

[RV8JD]

The rubber is a 75A polyurethane specifically designed for tuff surfaces and high rebound.

Red will be available once I have an understanding of the market. I currently have 18x of the gold in stock and ready to ship (Gold is the standard color). I can have another production run completed within 6 weeks but would want to know colors before I start anodizing a bunch of colors.

Appreciate the info. Thx!

 

[rvbuilder2002]

Any info you can share regarding beta testing done and / or actual time in service at this point? (specifically in the context of tire wear )

 

[Jvon811]

I have been testing new "Gold Standard" wheel for Daniel for the past 2-3 weeks on my RV-4, although his prototypes are bare aluminum and not anodized gold. This tailwheel has approximately 12 hours on it now, probably 35 landings, lots of use on grass, and one landing that included a 1.5 mile taxi at the Memphis International Airport.

Full disclosure, I did not go full test pilot/engineer mode, which I hope isn't a disservice to you Daniel. I did not measure the original diameter and measure the tire wear per hour or anything like that. But, you can still see the mold line down the middle of the tire after all of the use on asphalt in the last 12 hours.

The new wheel is a Shore 75A compared to 65A that some other companies are using. The difference can be felt and heard when taxing on concrete or asphalt but increases the wear life of the rubber.

There are 4 bearings, 2 double stacked on each side of the hub with a spacer bushing in the middle. I have noticed zero play in the bearings since install. I did find the width of the hub was narrower than the JD Air wheel. The addition of 2 washers to either side of the Gold Standard's wheel hub fixed this.

So far, so good.

 

[rv6n6r]

[...] this wheel has a slightly higher durometer than the JD Air. The difference can be felt and heard when taxing on concrete or asphalt. The new wheel is a Shore 75A compared to 65A that some other companies are using.

I think that means this is harder right? For us dumb guys can you explain durometer etc.? One thing several have commented on regarding the FlyBoy wheel which is 75 durometer (and I have noticed personally) is the increased noise/taxiway bumping compared with Van's standard tailwheel. What advantage is there for it to be harder still, rather than softer (other than perhaps longevity)?

 

[dmat]

It’s a hardness scale. The higher the number the harder it gets. 75A = Longevity on hard surfaces (poorly kept runways were taken into consideration) and a good bounce back.

And to set everyone's mind at ease regarding durability/longevity, I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is...

I will offer a 2000 take-off& landing cycle/ 10yr money back guarantee, whichever one comes first. (guarantee covers the failure of materials or workmanship, including defects, discovered through normal wear)

 

[RV8JD]

One thing several have commented on regarding the FlyBoy wheel which is 75 durometer (and I have noticed personally) is the increased noise/taxiway bumping compared with Van's standard tailwheel. What advantage is there for it to be harder still, rather than softer (other than perhaps longevity)?

FWIW, FlyBoy lists the DJM Manufacturing's Lightweight TW tire as 65 durometer. Don't know if the difference between 65 and 75 is noticeable.

Lightweight Tailwheel Tire

DJM Manufacturing makes this lightweight alternative (25 ounces) to the much heavier Van’s tail wheel tire and hub (41ounces!). Precision sealed bearings eliminate any grease slinging onto the bottom of your rudder and keep the hub much more resistant to dirt accumulation. Not to mention, you...

flyboyaccessories.com

 

[Jvon811]

Commenting to just amend my comments about JD Air's Tailwheel Durometer. I've since learned that it is a 75A durometer and not a 65A. My previous post has been edited to reflect that.

 

[bjdecker]

I had to order a blue one

 

[rv6n6r]

FWIW, FlyBoy lists the DJM Manufacturing's Lightweight TW tire as 65 durometer. Don't know if the difference between 65 and 75 is noticeable.

Lightweight Tailwheel Tire

DJM Manufacturing makes this lightweight alternative (25 ounces) to the much heavier Van’s tail wheel tire and hub (41ounces!). Precision sealed bearings eliminate any grease slinging onto the bottom of your rudder and keep the hub much more resistant to dirt accumulation. Not to mention, you...

flyboyaccessories.com

I stand corrected!

 

[dmat]

It's my B-day and the 1yr Anniversary of the start of Cranford Aviation/ Fairings-etc. So I will sweeten the pot a bit. Price will include shipping (Use coupon code "freeship") of what I have in stock.

I would love to see these on a few planes at OSH.

I will also have a display of the wheel at the CROW Booth.

And like always, I will be offering an OSH discount on Crow Harnesses. Stay tuned for coupon code.

 

[Ironflight]

Just had one show up in the post yesterday! Beautiful gold anodizing means it is going to have to go on the Valkyrie for flight trials (just doesn’t match the paint on the -3 or the -6…..)….so we’ll see how it does!

In the interest of journalism, I better get the gram scale out before I install it though.

 

[dmat]

Glad you got it Paul, yes, please weigh it and keep me honest.

 

[dmat]

Just to let everyone know. I want to reiterate, that all other colors aside from the Gold are still about 1-1.5 months out as the first run was just gold. I appreciate everyone's interest and orders.

Have a great week,
Dan

 

[HFS]

I think that means this is harder right? For us dumb guys can you explain durometer etc.? One thing several have commented on regarding the FlyBoy wheel which is 75 durometer (and I have noticed personally) is the increased noise/taxiway bumping compared with Van's standard tailwheel. What advantage is there for it to be harder still, rather than softer (other than perhaps longevity)

I think that means this is harder right? For us dumb guys can you explain durometer etc.? One thing several have commented on regarding the FlyBoy wheel which is 75 durometer (and I have noticed personally) is the increased noise/taxiway bumping compared with Van's standard tailwheel. What advantage is there for it to be harder still, rather than softer (other than perhaps longevity)?

Durometer Chart ...

HFS

 

[diamondjim]

Dan, are these available in aluminum? Thanks

 

[dmat]

Hi Jim.

Silver is available as an option. I’m about 1-1.5mo out till they are available.

 

[dmat]

6 wheels left... get yours before they are Gone! Thanks for the huge response to the wheels! The Wheel will be displayed at the CROW harness booth 3065

ALSO.......

If you want to test your Balloon popping skills (1st place wins a Gold Standard wheel), head over to the Boscobel (KOVS) BASH, Saturday - 7/20/24 before OSH!

 

[SMRacer]

I purchased and have received the "Gold Standard" tail wheel. This is one of the nicest pieces of machine work I have even seen.
I feel bad about smearing smoke oil residue all over it.

 

[TnMike]

Hi Dan,
Got it installed on my new project, Hope to fly it later this year.
Thanks for a great product.
Mike

 

[Kiwifly]

All,

I wanted to offer the VAF community the first look at my newest product being offered by Fairings-Etc (formerly Cranford Aviation).

I would like to introduce the "Gold Standard" Tailwheel.

Light weight: A completely new design reducing weight to only 22.4oz (1.4lb) making it the lightest tailwheel in it's class.

Advanced Technology: Incorporating 4x sealed bearings with a center spacer and the latest advancements in Extruded Aluminum, increasing durability and strength.

Customizable: Match your tailwheel with your personality/paint scheme. Custom anodized Colors available (Red - Blue - Black - Silver) at an additional charge
*Note: Gold anodizing is standard*

Note: custom colors are in que and will be ready in about a 1-1.5mo.

Designed and Made in the USA!

Warranty: 2000 take-off & landing cycle/ 10yr money back guarantee, whichever one comes first. (guarantee covers the failure of materials or workmanship, including defects, discovered through normal wear)

My current production run is setup for 3/8" axle and all anodized Gold. 1/2”&5/8” is in development

Introductory Price: $149.99 shipped (use coupon code “freeship”) for the gold ones in stock and can be purchased at Fairings-Etc/CranfordAviation

What tailwheel fork is shown in the pic ?

 

[dmat]

That’s a Doug bell fork. Flyboy accessories sells them. Great guys over there or if you want other options, check out JDAir. Brian (owner of JDAir) is awesome! My wheels and their folks make great combos.

Dan

 

[Nived17]

Hey Folks,

Just checking in with a PIREP on the Fairings-Etc lightweight tailwheel. I have now put around 50hrs on the setup. I am using a flyboys tailwheel mounting kit coupled with an old school Vans yoke (I have short gear on my -4 and this gets me the best angle of attack in 3-point attitude). I have landed on large 10,000' runways with grooved surfaces right down to an 1800' grass strip. So far, so good. The wheel both looks good and feels good. Check out the listing here https://fairings-etc.com/products/the-gold-standard-lightweight-tailwheel

Some notes and observations over the last 50hrs:

The Bad:

Not much to say here so far after 50hrs and many landings. I do have an early prototype and there were washers required to fit my Vans Aircraft fork. The Assembly was slightly tricky to align with a bushing that floats between the bearings in the tailwheel. Once aligned, it fits up to the yoke quite nicely with a satisfying fitment. Dan assures me that the for-sale setup includes the washers needed to assemble the wheel nicely onto your existing yoke and axel bolt setup.

Maybe slightly noisier taxiing on a grooved or rougher paved surface? But lets be real, all grooved/rough surfaces are noisy in an RV.

Other than that, nothing worth noting yet.

The Good:

It is certainly lightweight (albeit a few grams once you add the weight of the extra washers) but weighing the setups does confirm the claim so if you are chasing grams, this would be your ticket. Another note is that due to its rounded corner rubber shape, I find that it is slightly nicer to steer on the ground than my previous light weight tailwheel purchased from vans of similar design with the sharper edge rubber. Non-scientific testing for sure but an observation none the less.

Something else that has been asked is how it performs with a good coating of smoke oil? I can confirm that it is currently WELL COATED in aeroshell smoke oil. So far so good. Some of us FFI flying folks have noted that other available injection molded lightweight tailwheel materials seem to become softer over time possibly due to the constant smoke oil application on the rubber? No real noted degradation in in performance on those setups just an interesting note. This is an area I will continue to watch as I fly the farings-etc.com wheel. So far, I am not noting any softening of the rubber but it is probably too early in its life to compare it to my 6+ year old lightweight tailwheel previously installed. Finally, who doesn't like an awesome anodized color choice? As my college buddy always says, "If you're looking good, you're flying good." I'm sure folks will enjoy being able to pick a colored anodize finish for their tailwheel setup. To be completely honest, the anodized color is why I would be purchasing one myself.

I'll be in Homebuilt camping next week at Oshkosh for anyone that would like to see the wheel In person. It will be on my RV-4 pictured below. Just look for the card on my prop and the 6' light-up palm trees surrounding our camping setup.

 

[dmat]

Glad you're liking the tailwheel Devin, thanks for the feedback! I can't wait to see it on your beautiful 4 at OSH.

Yes, Washers will be available once they arrive. I am more than happy to send washers to folks who already ordered. Or if you can't wait, I have used a 9/16th jam nut and bored out the threads. Worked perfectly!

 

[dmat]

Building C @ OSH…. Come check it out and all the great products that CROW and fairings Etc have to offer!

There are a few already on a bunch of RV’s . There is one on row 359 …aka “Barnes’ Stormer” and a few rv4’s at “the Grove”….. if you know, you know…

Text me if you want to meet up or pick up a tailwheel or fairing at OSH 623-536-0951

 

[dmat]

It was such a great OSH this year! It was a pleasure meeting a bunch of VAF folks and the interest on the tailwheel was overwhelming! We just got home and I promised my little guy some fishing so I’m off to drown some worms.

I know some of you didn’t get to pick up a tailwheel at the show as I was running around. The last 2 of this lot are available and I will gladly ship for free for you guys.

Thanks again for all the support!

Dan