Well this seems to be the never ending saga of my now faithful(questionable ) airmaster 40t. I had 3 good flights then on the 4th the engine quit right on takeoff. before this the instuctor had to readjust the needle 7-8 clicks which he told me was odd. The plane landed in a nearby field. It looked like the nosewheel came off but instead it got squashed. Ill let the pics tell the rest.

I want to fix up the plane and then convert it into a tailgragger. I need some how to?

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what club do you fly at? I live in toronto also I fly at Bramalea

If you are still learning, I'd suggest fixing the nose wheel. It will save a lot of props when you are learning landings.

If you really want to convert, you need to do two things. 1) move the mains in front of the CG and 2) install a tailwheel bracket and wheel. You can get tailwheels and brackets made from many vendors. There are many different styles but something simple like this

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXD850&P=0

would work. It would require cutting into the rudder to install the steering shaft.

As for the mains, I would move them in front of the CG as far as they are behind it now, probably about an inch or so.

If possible, I'd suggest finding some one locally who is experienced to help you with the mods, or at the very least, have them check your work.

I find it "odd" that he had to adjust the needle valve 7 or 8 clicks myself. If it quit right after take off, I'm guessing that he "adjusted" it until it was WAY too lean.

I tend to agree with monkeyboy. It would be easier to fix or replace the nose wheel. I would remove it from the plane and try to straighten it. If you can't, a replacement won't cost much.

To convert to a tail dragger, you'll need to buy some type of aluminum main landing gear, possibly axles, and a tail wheel assembly. If you get a 'dural' type gear, you'll also need blind nuts and bolts. Then you'll need to reinforce inside the fuse ahead of the wing with plywood and triangle (or square) stock, and probably the rear of the fuse with plywood.

It can be done, and isn't all that difficult, but re-doing the nose wheel is easier in the long run.
Dennis-

JuniorPilot: I fly at RHMAC( Richmond Hill Model Airplane Club)

Can i not connect a pushrod to the tailwheel rather then cutting into the rudder. This pushrod would be fitted onto the rudder servo?

Thankx

No, I learned on a tail dragger and I only broke one prop and that was because my instructor did a bad landing you have to stick the tail wheel stearing rod into the rudder if you go to hobby hobby www.hobbyhobby.com is their site with your plane and all they will help you out just tell them what you want to do and they will tell you how and what you need!

I agree with most in that you should stick to the nose wheel for now.

arn't tailwheels a lot better for grass runways. Nosewheels are meant for concrete runways. That is my view on it. What are the pros and cons of taildraggers. Then i can make up my mind. I dont care about how difficult it is because help is available 24-7 oline and at the LHS. I just need to know if it will help me avoid the same thing again?

Thankx

I wouldn't say that either type of gear is better or worse on grass vs pavement. I do think the gear should be set up slightly differently depending on the surface, but I wouldn't suggest a tail dragger just because you are on grass.

Most all my students are flying trikes and we fly off of grass.

airmaster40t ,

On grass just use larger tires.

"I just need to know if it will help me avoid the same thing again? "

The answer is no.

Learn how to fly thats what is important not whether the plane is a taildragger or trike. Your plane was damaged due to a flame out. replace the nose gear and continue learning. Make it into a taildragger after you have mastered it in its "stock" configuration.

Just my 2 cents

Ok thankx to all that replied , now i will just streanthen everything up and fix the wheel mounts. Im going to stick with a trike config.

Thankx