Hi all,
I am new to this great hobby and got my wings about a month ago. I'm flying a Nexstar and just took the leading edge thingys off (ARF is disabled and the Speed flaps aren't installed). I plan on getting real comfortable with my trainer before moving on.

What I would like to know is how to convert it to a taildragger. I've seen many pics so I know it can be done. I'm not affraid of cutting, adding, reparing etc. (I've already had to repair the leading edge on the wing)
I just don't know what I need to add to the new location of the gear to make sure it's solid enough, how the gear is attached etc..... I was told that the axle of the gear should be in line with the leading edge of the wing.

Can anyone let me know how they did their Nextar taildragger conversion? Also Any TIPS or (I know its asking for alot but.... ) any pics showing the progress of the work would be greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance for any help

Would be tough to disable the ARF as this means "Almost Ready to Fly". You may have meant the AFS or "Auto Flight Stabilizer" (or something like that). And watch for a pitch change when you first fly the plane after removing the leading edge devices. It may require a lot of trim, just be ready for it. I'll let the others walk you through the mods though, I believe that Britbrat has some good ideas on this.

Good luck

Converting to a taildragger is fairly easy.

1. I suggest using commercially available aluminum or carbon fiber gear. You will need the gear tall enough so that when the plane is level you have a MINIMUM of 1 1/2" of clearance between the prop and the ground.

2. Epoxy a piece of 1/4" plywood (not lite ply ) in the bottom of the fuselage. The piece of ply should be the width of the fuselage and about 3" long. You want to position it so the AXLES of the landing gear are even with the leading edge.

3. After the epoxy has dried, drill your holes for the landing gear and install the blind nuts. I suggest a MINIMUM of an 8 bolt, or you can use bolts and nylon insert stop nuts. If you use the stop nuts, make sure you use a washer between the nut and the plywood.

4. For a tailwheel, I strongly suggest using the Sullivan tailwheel assembly. You will have to inlet a piece of 1/8" lite ply in the rear of the fuselage. For the Sullivan's I prefer to use #4 socket head screws (not bolts) to attach the assembly.

5. Make sure you rebalance the plane.

Oooooops LOL ,
I agree with the disabling ARF comment. You are right I meant to say AFS. (I am a Unix Systems Admin. and I see so many acronyms. They all look the same after awhile)

Thanks for the tip on the leading edge device.

Campy thanks for the reply.