ORIGINAL: MajorTomski
ORIGINAL: bogbeagle
Aerodynamicists reckon that toe-out is the better solution .... so I hear.
Well my learned aero profs at Parks College always taught TOE IN.
When a conventional gear plane is up on the mains and rolling, if the plane yaws SLIGHTLY, say to the left, then the left wheel now rolling parallel to the line of motion and has a lower rolling resistance. The right wheel is now scrubbing, creating a higher rolling resistance, creating a force that pushes aft on the right wheel, thus stopping the unwanted left yaw an re ballancing the drag between the two wheels.
Toe out does just the opposite. It makes the initial yaw worse.
Good explanation.... I'm a race car guy, and toe-in is more stable.. I know on the FW-190, they have toe adjustment right on the strut, and they'd get a wheel aligment like you'd do on your car in "modern times". In general, zero toe or a touch of toe-in will make things more stable. Toe out generally will make it turn easier, but also less stable. In a plane with small tail volume and without individual wheel brakes, a bit of toe out would be helpful to turn, but can't imagine wanting toe out otherwise