RE: Big stick taildragger conversion
Converting to the tail dragger version of the GP Big Stik is relatively easy.
1. Add a piece of plywood, 1/4 inch x 2 inch long x width of interior to the inside of the fusilage at or near the leading edge of the wing. Or you can straddle the former there with two one inch strips. Add triangle stock at the sides to re-inforce. Transfer the hole location from the aluminum landing gear thru the bottom of the fuse, thru the plywood. If blind nuts are to be used, the drill size will be the equal to the body diameter of the blind nut. If 1/4-20 nylon screws are to be used, use a #7 drill, then tap thru. Harden the threads with thin CA.
2. Add your favorite tail wheel bracket assembly directly to the bottom of the fuse at the trailing end. Use bracket mounting screws long enough to go thu the stab and into the plywood shelf to which the stab glues. Cut a small notch in the leading edge at the center of the elevator to clear the tail wheel drive wire. This wire (3/32 dia) should be long enough to come from the wheel, thru the bracket, past the elevator, and upward about an inch above the bottom of the rudder. At that point, bend the wire rearward, cut to a length of 3/4". after drilling a hole for it in the leading edge of the rudder. Cut a groove for the wire in the rudder downward from this hole into which the wire will seat. Epoxy the wire in place.
3. Go flying!.
There,now...wasn't that easy?
Regards,
DrGO