Hi all,

I have an Airsail Chipmonk, that has no connection Between the tailwheel and the rudder. It is just a tracking system. Seems to work ok.

Now I am building a Mk. IX Spitfire and I want to put the same tailwheel system on that. The way TF want to do it does not seem to be a very good. Thats why I would like to get some feedback from all you guys with the superior knowledge on what would be a better way.

Many thanks,

Sidekick.

If you fly in "no wind" or "wind parallel to the runway" the Chipmunk approach may work.

The Mk IX is a .60 .90 size plane. It will experience torque steer. Without a steerable tailwheel you cannot correct for the torque steer.

A typical take off includes initial up elevator to keep the tail wheel planted for ground control until you have enough ground speed to be able to control the plane with rudder only - then and only then - neutralize the elevator to allow the tail to lift and when enough speed is attained - off ya go.

If you have any breeze at all that is not parallel to the runway you will experience some level of weather vaning - the wind pushes against the side of the fuse / rudder causing the plane to turn into the wind.

Another point is that you will have little or no control over taxing (spelling?). There are days when even with the tail wheel / rudder at high rates that I can't get the plane back to the pilot station.

HTH

Ya gotta love those warbirds. The Spitfire is drop dead beautiful!!!!!

Hi HTH,

Thanks for your help. I will have to figure out another way to control the tailwheel.

You have been very helpful. Thanks Much.

Sidekick.

If you are flying off grass, just put on a skid instead of a tail wheel. To taxi takes a bit more thought, you do not hold the tail skid on the ground but you play the elevator; to turn with little or no forward speed, you put in just a bit of down elevator, full rudder in the direction want to turn and then play the throttle. A quick burst of throttle will lift the tail off the ground and the rudder will turn the plane it's own length. Takes a bit of practice, you are flying on the ground using the elevator as well as the rudder to control things. By carefully playing the throttle and elevator as well as the rudder you can taxi very well and just as easily as with a tail wheel. Also, it look cool and will impress your fellow flyers.