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Old 05-26-2015 | 07:42 AM
  #23  
Jennifer Curtis
 
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The problem with over controlling a taildragger is often
caused by the tailgear being angled back too much
in combination with looseness in the rudder pushrod.

When you give it a little right rudder (even the smallest
amount) the weight of the tail of the plane shifts to one
side, pushing against the tailwheel. If the tail gear was
pointed straight down this side pressure would do nothing.
(note that I said straight down as in towards the ground,
not in line with the rudder hinges because the rudder is tilted
back when the tailwheel in on the ground.)

So when the tail gear is angled back, (probably to make it
springier) the side pressure makes it want to turn even harder.
If there is any mushiness in the pushrod, like you get with
goldenrods, or sloppiness in the linkage, it makes it even
easier to get the unwanted extra turning force.

Once I figured this out, I started building all my planes with
the tail gear going straight down, and I never had ground
loops occur again. Planes under about 5 to 6 pounds
don't really need springiness in the tail wheel when flown
off grass. Larger planes and those flown off pavement
can have an actual spring landing gear installed (with
the pivot vertical).

The tailwheel on the t-clips 70 can be bent straight down.
It may raise the tail a bit in take-off and landing attitude,
but it should not cause any difficulty.

Jenny