XCub: CCX-2300-0011
SPOT X TRACKING: https://maps.findmespot.com/s/09SL
Based on my discussion with people who have experience with all the available springs (including the Pawnee) the ABW is the stronger structure. Plus, it is made for the ABW tail wheel. Don't get too innovative here. Just keep it simple, less is more. Mike
Watch how much flexing takes place with this Pawnee spring during taxi on this relatively smooth gravel bar.
(have a little patience after the second landing. I was running the camera with my iPhone and dropped it. I'm too poor of an editor with the GoPro to cut it out.). You can also hear the AOSS working. It is the squeaky plastic sound.
Flying Carbon Cub EX #11 since 2011
Dan,
Is that Pawnee spring a four leaf spring?
That was a truly enlightening video. It is amazing how much deflection occurs in the tail wheel structure. Thanks for posting.
On a separate topic, why is the tail wheel steering system removed?
Mike
Hi Mike,
The free-castering tail wheel has two benefits. As you can see in the video it allows the tail wheel to freely pivot when it hits a bigger rock or hole. This is easier on the airframe, especially the tail section. I run about 12 pounds in the baby Bushwheel. With bigger rocks and bumps it shines more.
The other benefit is a very free-feeling rudder in the air.
I like it but it isn't for everyone. Ground handling is different, as I'm reminded of when I go to skis in the winter and use chains and springs again on the smaller 3200 tail wheel. Steering is mostly with brakes. Landings are almost always wheel landings for me except on skis. Taxi work in a cross wind can be slow because you're riding one brake.
The advantages are all off-airport. If I were confined to paved runways or mowed grass strips for most of my flying I wouldn't do it.
The reason I used the GoPro for this initially was to see when I was spraying rocks towards my tail feathers. I poked about a half dozen holes in my horizontal stabs on the gravel bars.
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All fun.
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This one didn't make a hole but it was loud enough I heard it with a noise cancelling headset on.
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There is a fist-sized hole under this. Hitting the rib kept it from going all the way through. There's a price for this kind of fun.
Last edited by Dan L; 02-05-2015 at 08:33 AM.
Flying Carbon Cub EX #11 since 2011
Dan,
Thanks for the insight!
Mike
Steve
Got the new 2-leaf PA-18 spring installed. As you wanted here are a couple pictures. It does eliminate that aluminum spacer and so far in a couple flights, I haven't seen the shimmy I would get in the rough part of our runway. It also sits about 1.5-2 inches higher on the tail (as measured to the bottom of the rudder).
Jon #293
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