At 02:00 PM 4/9/2009, you wrote: > Supposing for the sake or argument that I buy a TD KR, and don't like >it. Is the nosegear conversion still available from Diehl? How >difficult and how much time would it take to convert to FT gear? >-Dj ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jim was "spot on" with his post on flying a taildragger. I have 340 hours in mine and fly it exactly as he suggests. If you purchase a taildragger with Diehl gear you have 1/2 of the necessary components to convert to nose dragger. The main gear is relocated to the rear of the spar and a nose wheel added. It will necessitate cutting out a portion of the bottom of the wing to gain access but a bit of foam and glass work will fill the hole. I've not actually done the procedure so someone with experience might provide better advise. The nose gear assembly should be available from Diehl also. There may be info with pic's on the Diehl site for the conversion. There are many opinions on setting gear alignment on tail draggers, i.e., toe-in or toe-out. I set mine at zero-zero and I use less rudder input to taxi than I do while taxiing a fully loaded early model C182 jump plane. It wallows all over the taxiway. I need very little rudder input on takeoff and only moderate input on landing, depending on the wind. It's just a matter of killing any drift with wing down and keeping the nose pointed in the direction of travel. Larry Flesner
