Matronics Email Lists :: View topic - Wrecked a 2, 709, rudders, gear, two plane solution

Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists

Get Email Distribution Too! FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register

Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in

Wrecked a 2, 709, rudders, gear, two plane solution

Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Kitfox-List

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author Message

Jeffrey Dill

Joined: 23 Jul 2007
Posts: 52
Location: Pleasant view, TN

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 5:07 am Post subject: Wrecked a 2, 709, rudders, gear, two plane solution

Just throwing down a quick update. I suppose you could do a search for previous posts for background info, but basically it goes like this. I ripped off the gear of my model 2 last July trying to clear a taxiway sign. My 25 hours of tailwheel time never seemed to eliminate darting and no-notice redirection after touchdown. In prep for the ensuing 44709 ride with the FEDS, I now have significant time flying a Supercruiser, converted 172, and J3; with absolutely no directional surprises. I carried 15000 insurance on the Mod 2 and AIG totaled it with damage limited to tubing under the seat, gear plus prop strike. I figured that if you guys could land this thing. than I could; so I took the money and paid $2350 for the salvage. Enter a Model 4. Build by a high school shop class and flown once. They had an extra wing kit and sold me all in pieces on the premise that the engine (503) and gear would go on my model 2. Hope to have the 2 flying this summer, maybe 2 years on the Mod 4, which gets Grove gear and my 582 after prop strike inspection. Grove too heavy for the 2; I am trying to reduce weight wherever possible. Observations: The Mod 4 gear fits right up to the Mod 2, but is of larger diameter tubing.  The rudder is starkly larger on the Mod 4; what does that tell you? Also, I noticed a big difference on the tailwheel of the J3 I trained in versus the setup I had on my Mod 2 before the mishap; The J3 had much slack in the springs leading from the rudder to the tailwheel (Picture attached). On my Mod 2, I had no slack whatsoever. I think it is possible that I set myself up for some of that darting with a tailwheel that would over-control and redirect me instantly when I finally set the tailwheel down (more dual proved I was not as religious about planting that tailwheel as I should have been).

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

J3tailwheel_.JPG

Description:

Note slack in springs of this J3 TW

Filesize:

37.28 KB

Viewed:

5030 Time(s)

_________________
Jeff Dill
Model 2

cliffh(at)outdrs.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 6:16 am Post subject: Wrecked a 2, 709, rudders, gear, two plane solution

I made the first flights on a friends Avid model 4. On roll out it would 

suddenly dart right. On further inspection we found that the left wheel was 

toed in.

After we straightened it out, the aircraft would roll out fine.



Floran Higgins

Helena, Mt

Speedster

912 ULS

---

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

Jeffrey Dill

Joined: 23 Jul 2007
Posts: 52
Location: Pleasant view, TN

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 6:39 am Post subject: Re: Wrecked a 2, 709, rudders, gear, two plane solution

Did you move it to exactly straight, or, as some have suggested, move it to 1 or 2 degrees toe out?

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

_________________
Jeff Dill
Model 2

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:25 am Post subject: Wrecked a 2, 709, rudders, gear, two plane solution

It seems to me to be personal preference as to whether or not to have the

tail wheel steering springs tight.  I noticed years ago the manuals on the

185 required a preload on the tail wheel but that plane had lock to hold it

straight for takeoff and landing.



Noel



--

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

Jeffrey Dill

Joined: 23 Jul 2007
Posts: 52
Location: Pleasant view, TN

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:21 am Post subject: Re: Wrecked a 2, 709, rudders, gear, two plane solution

I just checked. my Matco does not lock straight. I have seen postings about the Kitfox darting, mostly with the tube gear, and mostly not with the Grove. Also, I have seen and heard claims of pilots who had never experienced it. Trying to keep an open mind.

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

_________________
Jeff Dill
Model 2

cliffh(at)outdrs.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 11:03 am Post subject: Wrecked a 2, 709, rudders, gear, two plane solution

About 1 degree out.



Floran Higgins

---

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

jleathem(at)cogeco.ca
Guest

Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 7:06 am Post subject: Wrecked a 2, 709, rudders, gear, two plane solution

Hi Jeff, we had a similar problem with our Model 4 even after we installed the Grove gear.  After some harrowing but no-damage ground loops on both hard and grass surfaces, we decided to try disabling the castoring feature from the tail wheel so its angle of rotation would be limited.  We have never had a problem since even in strong cross winds and it rolls out perfectly straight on any surface.  It’s a pain if you have to push the aircraft backwards, which we seldom have to do, but well worth the peace of mind not to mention damage avoidance on landing.  Good thing about it trying this is that you can always restore the castoring later if you wish.  After 4 years, we never have.   

   

Trevor Leathem  

Ontario  

   

        [quote][b]

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

Dick Maddux

Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 516
Location: Milton, Fl

Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 11:48 am Post subject: Wrecked a 2, 709, rudders, gear, two plane solution

Jeff,

  I also suspect you have a gear alignment problem. IF you are thinking about replacing the gear a good solution would be the "bush" gear as I have on my aircraft. It will take your gear spread from 4 ft to almost 7 ft. You now have a very stable airplane on the ground plus you loose about 4 lbs or so over the weight of the standard gear (at least on the 4). You could not give me the standard gear after experiencing the difference between the two! Just a suggestion mind you.

                                          Dick Maddux

                                          Fox 4

                                          Pensacola,Fl 

 Feeling the pinch at the grocery store?  Make dinner for $10 or less.

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

Kitfox_060.jpg

Description:

Filesize:

397.41 KB

Viewed:

4961 Time(s)

Display posts from previous:

	Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Kitfox-List	All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

Jump to:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum