Avistar Taildragger
 

Sullivan 5-10lb tail assembly
1" tail wheel
Main gear axle even with leading edge of wing

I have converted my Avistar to a taildragger and I'm wondering if I have enough steering authority to taxi around the runway. I've completed the build and just lack permanently fixing the control wire to the rudder. When the model is stationary and I apply full rudder inputs the wheel barely moves at all because of the spring coils within the control wire provided with the Sullivan assembly. I believe the spring is supposed to absorb excessive shocks and not so pretty landings and such. When I push the model forward I can steer it some, but not to the full extent of the rudder input because of the spring within the wire. Should I beef up the spring area with some 3/32" wire soldered to either side of the spring coil, or should I just go fly and forget about it.

This will be my first taildragger setup, and I want to make sure it'll be flyable, and that I won't be rebuilding at the field.

RE: Avistar Taildragger
 

TDubya,
Trust me, the Sullivan tailwheel has plenty to steer the plane on the ground. The reason you don't see the wheel moving much in front of you is because it's sitting on the ground and not moving. Once the plane is in motion it will be more than enough to steer the plane. I have used Sullivan tailwheels on planes from 2 pounds all the way up to an 18 pound bird and have never had any problems. In fact, this is the only type of tailwheel that I use. You'll be fine with this setup

Hope this helps

Ken

RE: Avistar Taildragger
 

As Ken said... They work great, same here on the 5 I have it on.....
Guess if you did not put some/enough tension on the spring when installing
into the rudder it may have some effect on it... But a little goes a long way..

RE: Avistar Taildragger
 

The Sullivans come with 2 springs, a softer one and a stronger bigger one. Use the bigger one. It moves the tail wheel to where it should be easier. Then you should have no problems. I use the Sullivans on all my new tail draggers. :D

RE: Avistar Taildragger
 

I did use the larger thicker spring, but I did the opposite of what the directions called for. The directions called for the spring to be closest to the wheel, but I couldn't get it to work out that way. I have the spring located directly below the surface of the rudder, and then bent the small side up into the rudder with ca. I flew it yesterday, but I took off from grass where I usually take off from pavement. I didn't really notice how well the steering authority was.

RE: Avistar Taildragger
 

TDubya..
The spring and wheel pivot connection should be in the center of your rudder/fuse gap
(tail wire in center) the other end of the spring (with a little tension) goes into the bottom
of the rudder... Maybe that's what you said above, but was not sure.... But as said, they
all work great!!!... Here's a couple of pics on my 4*(1st try) and UCD...