Posted by dannparks on Thursday, September 29, 2011 @ 10:53 AM:
I'm assembling the rudder-to-tailwheel connection with the springs and chain/cable. How tight is the assembly? Are the springs pulled tight, or is there some slack in the connection that allows the tailwheel to move a bit without the rudder moving -- and the rudder to move a bit without affecting the tailwheel? The very few close-up pictures I've seen usually show a little bit of slack, but I don't know if it is intentional.
In tailwheel RV's there's a long-running debate about this. What's the consensus for RF4's?
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Posted by Collin on Thursday, September 29, 2011 @ 01:53 PM:
Hi Dann,
Mine was never very tight and seem to taxi just fine.
Posted by Jorgen on Friday, September 30, 2011 @ 04:45 AM:
Hi Guys,
good question which brings back fond memories.
When I flew "G-AVNX" (now SE-XST) home I had some pretty extensive taxi problems since it was quite windy and in Flensburg the stern, moustache clad airport manager had to run out and hold my wing (to be sure he got rid of me?) so I could turn downwind and backtrack before take-off. It wasn't until I came home that I discovered I had lost both tailwheel springs. Former owner James Hallam (incidently still a good friend) text-messaged back: "-The springs are from a worn out bed in the dormitory at the Bicester Aerodrome, I'll send you some replacements!"
Nowadays I use compression springs, fairly tight setup which I feel improves crosswind landing/taxi handling.
http://sbeaver.com/cgi-bin/fournier/cutecast.pl?session=m64BZUpsAGNvF4j7OSU72ESgZ5&forum=11&thread=504
May the 4's be with you/ Jörgen
