> >Rudder and rudder trim are only effective with a little bit of airspeed. In calm air, I have to keep the tailwheel planted until I see 40 indicated, otherwise I'll need some right brake to keep the plane headed down the runway. With 10 kts of crosswind from the left, take offs include bumping the right brake to keep it on the runway. >Jeff Scott ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
My KR has an 8 foot wide main gear and a 4 inch steerable, full swivel, tailwheel. The cables to the tailwheel include Maule tailwheel springs and the cables are pulled as tight as possible without causing the rudder cables to go slack. To date, with 154 hours of flight time, I have never had to use brake on takeoff or landing to maintain directional control. I never touch the brakes on takeoff and never use brakes on landing until the tail is on the ground. And that's in all wind conditions. It doesn't seem to matter if I try to lift the tail as soon as possible or later in the takeoff run. All it ever seems to need is slight rudder inputs. Last weekend, with a 7 to 10 mph gusty left crosswind, was the first time I've even used what seemed like a 3/4 right rudder jab for about one second to bring the nose back to center. My KR seems to respond instantly to any of the slightest rudder inputs I make and my biggest problem is trying not to over-control. I have all standard size tail surfaces with a 24 inch fuselage stretch. Soon after the first flight I glued some 1/2 inch "half round" trim strips to the top of my rudder peddles so I'm not dragging brake when I don't what it. I have to rock my feet forward over the top of the peddles to activate the brakes. It seems to work for me. My biggest delight is that I have to keep reminding myself that I'm flying a tailwheel. It handles that nicely. Larry Flesner
