Thorp Air Command - T18.net
http://t18.net/thorpforum/

Possible Tailwheel Spring
http://t18.net/thorpforum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7586		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Bill Williams [ Mon May 26, 2014 3:50 am ]
Post subject:  Possible Tailwheel Spring
Purchased a few tailwheel parts from Aviation Products Inc. Ojai, CA and they included a catalog which has tailspring shafts listed. The 7/8 x 5/8 could adapt to the Thorp. They are heat treated stainless, $125.00
Author:  James Grahn [ Mon May 26, 2014 9:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible Tailwheel Spring
That's what I have on mine. They do not come bent. I bent mine.
What's the consensus in the group....
I can get those springs straight or batch order Trusty ones that need painting but are bent.
What say you?
Cubes
Author:  fytrplt [ Mon May 26, 2014 10:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible Tailwheel Spring
Can we get more info on the stainless. Mostly interested in the spring rate. Don't need it any more bouncy than the Lange ones. Stainless would go a long way here in Florida. What did it take to bend yours?
Author:  Rich Brazell [ Mon May 26, 2014 6:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible Tailwheel Spring
Attachment:
Powder coated tail wheel 002.JPG
Powder coated tail wheel 002.JPG [ 640.23 KiB | Viewed 24440 times ]
Attachment:
Powder coated tail wheel 001.JPG
Powder coated tail wheel 001.JPG [ 629.18 KiB | Viewed 24440 times ]
Got tired of painting mine . Had the spring and fork powder coated . About $75.00 here in SAN .
Author:  James Grahn [ Tue May 27, 2014 9:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible Tailwheel Spring
It wasn't hard to bend. I used three blocks and a vice. Also, we could look at a different mount that would include the bend. I'll see what I can drum up on spring rate.
Cubes
Author:  Jim Mantyla [ Tue May 27, 2014 2:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible Tailwheel Spring
Guys,

The Trusty spring is 1" diameter at the fat end and tapers down to 5/8". Changing to a spring that is 7/8" at the fat end and tapering to the standard 5/8" will not be as stiff as the Trusty spring. The question about this is, "is it stiff enough"? I really like my Trusty spring and the hole was exactly perpendicular to the bend, which made installation a breeze.

Jim
Author:  James Grahn [ Wed May 28, 2014 10:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible Tailwheel Spring
Thanks for the input Jim
Cubes
Author:  James Grahn [ Fri Apr 01, 2016 1:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible Tailwheel Spring
In case folks have been trying to contact Aviation Products... I talked to Karen today. She has been forced to take another job. She is still in the tail wheel business.. Please let the phone ring a lot, like 15 times, for it to go to voicemail. She will eventually get back to you.
Cubes
Author:  BobMoe [ Fri Apr 01, 2016 7:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible Tailwheel Spring
Flyboyaccessories.com has RV tailsprings for $95 and many different TW's.
One of our members retro-ed one to fit his T18. I'll look for photo.

BobMO
Author:  flyingfool [ Mon Apr 04, 2016 11:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible Tailwheel Spring
Rich,

This is off topic of this thread, but in the pictures above, it looks like you have electric rudder trim.

Do you find rudder trim useful or not worth the effort?
Author:  cluttonfred [ Mon Apr 04, 2016 11:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible Tailwheel Spring
OK, I'll bite. The original T-18 seems to have had a flat tailwheel spring. Are these rod springs part of the S-18 plans or just a common modification, perhaps to take advantage of ready-made Van's RV parts?
Author:  Rich Brazell [ Mon Apr 04, 2016 1:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible Tailwheel Spring
Attachment:
S18%20stick%20boot%20assy%20002.jpg
S18%20stick%20boot%20assy%20002.jpg [ 295.91 KiB | Viewed 23709 times ]
I find the electric trim very useful during cruise especially with the auto pilot on . Anything I can do to reduce fatigue in the cockpit , I'm up for it . During the landing phase I just reset it to the takeoff position . I have a small green LED lite next to the trim switch to indicate the T/O position as can be seen in the attached pic . ???
Author:  SHIPCHIEF [ Mon Apr 04, 2016 1:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible Tailwheel Spring
I bought a tail wheel assembly from Flyboyaccessories.com. I bought the tail wheel spring thru a group buy here on the T-18 forum.
The socket in the tail wheel assembly was custom bored by Vince, to the T-18 spring spec. His customer service is great as is his product.
Author:  James Grahn [ Mon Apr 04, 2016 4:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible Tailwheel Spring
The tapered rod tail spring was designed by Lyle Trusty for the T18. It lowers the tail and extends the moment arm. It is not according to plans, but I have LTs original plans to modify the bird. The RV guys picked up on the idea and LT started selling to them.
I have collars made for both the LT version (which I sell) and the Aviation Products version.
Cubes
Author:  cluttonfred [ Mon Apr 04, 2016 4:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible Tailwheel Spring
Thanks! I can understand extending the moment arm to make the steering less twitchy, but what is the advantage to lowering the tail?
Page 1 of 2 All times are UTC - 6 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
https://www.phpbb.com/