I had my steerable tailwheel in the Mustang get stuck in the unlocked position once where it became just a free castering wheel. I could definitely tell the difference and I checked it out after I taxiied back and found it would not lock. It was definitely harder to keep going straight, but not so much so that it stopped me from flying it like that again the next day before I got around to fixing it. I did have a bunch of time in the plane though and I could see where someone with less experience or gusty crosswinds could get in trouble.
I had the same thing hapen in my Clipper with a Scott tailwheel and I could hardly tell the difference, but that has a whole lot more rudder and it is a lot further back than on a KR or Stang. A locked non steering tailwheel would handle fine. They are common on the Pitts and other planes that are squirely on the ground where inexperienced pilots tend to get themselves in trouble from too much control. They normally have an unlocking lever to make them free swivel because steering really sucks on low speed taxiing with the wheel locked. I do have a Raven locking tailwheel if anyone is interrested in buying one. I also have several Scott and Maule tailwheels, but they are a little on the large side for a KR. Brian Kraut Engineering Alternatives, Inc. www.engalt.com -----Original Message----- From: krnet-boun...@mylist.net [mailto:krnet-boun...@mylist.net]On Behalf Of Ron Freiberger Sent: Monday, August 28, 2006 9:14 PM To: 'KRnet' Subject: RE: KR> tailwheel thingie How about disconnecting the springs on a champ or Cub and answering your own question. Never fail to notice accepted practice. Ron Freiberger mail to ronandmar...@earthlink.net > Does anyone NOT have a steerable tailwheel? What > would be the problem with a tailwheel limited to say > 60 degrees of turn without being steerable? _______________________________________ Search the KRnet Archives at http://www.maddyhome.com/krsrch/index.jsp to UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to krnet-le...@mylist.net please see other KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html
