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Old 08-03-2010 | 10:33 PM
  #19  
Campgems
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Arroyo Grande, CA
Default RE: Tail Wheel Idea ?

I've got to agree with RCKen on the Sullivan tail wheel mount.  I've used them on several planes and the make life easy.  I recently acquired a Twist 150 with a Saito 180 for power.  It has a hard link from the rudder to the tail wheel.  I've attempted to fly it just once and it was a near disaster.  Like I've done with all my tail dragger's, I hold some up elevator on roll out until it gets up enough speed for the rudder to have full control.  The Twist was really pulling left on roll out.  I kept putting in a little more right rudder as is gained speed,  Was parallel with the center line but off to the left.  When I let the tail lift, it did an immediate right turn off the runway.  I was so spooked that I haven't taken it out to the field since.  This topic got me to thinking.  Why did this plane act so different than the other eight or so tail draggers I've flown.  The answer, I think, is that with the hard linkage, rudder to tail wheel, either the rudder or the tail wheel has full control.  In my case, when the directional control was handed off to the rudder, it was almost hard right and away I went.  With the Sullivan type spring linkage, it is a compromise, and the hand off is more gentle.  I"m going to make the mod on the Twist, replace the stock with a Sullivan, and see if it is more even tempered on the runway. 

Don