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David P
PostPosted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 1:17 am 
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Location: United Kingdom
Hi All
This is a request for some historical information
I would like to fit the Trusty tailwheel spring but being in the UK can't do this without a mod approval from the LAA
There are two ways to get approval
engineering analysis
service history
I hope service history will suffice since I think this modification has sufficient track record. (There are also service issues arising with the original design which will help I think)
So some questions if you can bear with me
When were the drawings actually issued and by who?
Did John Thorp have any role in this or issue any approval or statement
Were the drawings issued at the same time as the S18 or before or after?
Approx how many of the fleet have this mod
Lastly what would be really helpfull is actual examples ie N4376 fitted 6 years and 500 hours ago no problems and a picture. (I do have some pictures from newsletters and the files)
As ever any help will be gratefully received. I have trawled the newsletters and archives but really need the case histories.

Many thanks

Dave


Last edited by Anonymous on Sat Sep 25, 2010 1:17 am, edited 1 time in total.

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fytrplt
PostPosted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 5:59 am 
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I now have 766 hours in service time on my Trusty tail spring set-up. This is over an eight and a half year time period. This would amount to over 900 landings on all types of surfaces. I have had no service issues other than routine tail wheel tyre replacement. Hope this helps.

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N711SH
SN 835
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Last edited by admin on Sat Sep 25, 2010 5:59 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Tom Hunter
PostPosted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 6:58 am 
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The Trusty rod tail spring design was released 5/28/85. I doubt that John Thorp had any involvement in this design. Lyle Trusty is a professional within the aerospace industry. You should be able to obtain a set of drawings from CSA as Lyle has turned over his numerous design mods for the T and S-18 to Mike Archer. I have no idea what the % is of Thorps who have this mod. Over the last 6 years I have done 3 runs of 10 "kits" which are all now on flying Thorps. Incidentally, a number of this kits have been sent to Australia.

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805-202-4261


Last edited by admin on Sat Sep 25, 2010 6:58 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Fraser MacPhee
PostPosted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 1:51 pm 
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After aquiring N886Y in March of 2006, I installed the Trusty tailspring, ran a new weight and balance and noticed no change and and flew approximately 400 hours and 400 landings with no troubles.

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Fraser MacPhee
N926WM
Serial #279-1
Angel Fire, NM (KAXX)


Last edited by admin on Sat Sep 25, 2010 1:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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David P
PostPosted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 3:00 am 
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Location: United Kingdom
Thank you thats all good stuff

David


Last edited by admin on Sun Sep 26, 2010 3:00 am, edited 1 time in total.

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BobMoe
PostPosted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 4:21 pm 
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Have there been any drawings or specs released for the Trusty tailspring?? I would like to build the parts.


Last edited by admin on Thu Apr 14, 2011 4:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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admin
PostPosted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 5:09 pm 
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I saw a drawing that detailed the spring and hardware a few years ago, don't know where they came from though.

*** admin posted for William Williams ***

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Last edited by admin on Thu Apr 14, 2011 5:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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leewwalton
PostPosted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 5:10 pm 
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I have that drawing somewhere around here. It will take some time to dig it up though.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD


Last edited by admin on Thu Apr 14, 2011 5:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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BobMoe
PostPosted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 6:04 am 
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Lee,
I could still use the Trusty drawing and specs. If you find them, could you post them?

Thanks,
Bob MO


Last edited by admin on Mon Apr 25, 2011 6:04 am, edited 1 time in total.

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leewwalton
PostPosted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 7:47 am 
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Sorry Bob,
I get too many things in the queue and some spill out. I'll dig around for it tonight.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD


Last edited by admin on Mon Apr 25, 2011 7:47 am, edited 1 time in total.

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leewwalton
PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 8:32 am 
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Here you go Bob.

[file]trusty_tail_spring_text.pdf,2,,[/file]

[file]trusty_tail_spring_drawings.pdf,2,,[/file]

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD


Last edited by admin on Tue Apr 26, 2011 8:32 am, edited 1 time in total.

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BobMoe
PostPosted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 4:28 am 
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Thanks, Lee. I didn't realize Lyle was selling plans.

Thanks,
BobMO


Last edited by admin on Thu Apr 28, 2011 4:28 am, edited 1 time in total.

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leewwalton
PostPosted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 5:53 am 
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No problem Bob, not sure if he still does but as indicated in the text, we should all use those for reference only. The drawings are serial numbered.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD


Last edited by admin on Thu Apr 28, 2011 5:53 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Tom Hunter
PostPosted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 10:26 am 
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Dear Group.

I have on hand one rod sping: this is to the Trusty blue print.

I do not think I will be ordering any more of these springs, since the minimum order is 10 springs.

At the recent Thorp gathering in Visalia, most of the T-18's there (as well as S-18's) had the Trusty designed rod spring. If you are flying the old leaf spring...or the original solid aluminum spring, the upgrade is very beneficial...as any number of owners can testify.

The rod spring has less drag than the leaf spring and offers improvement in ground handling and landing. And the Aviation Products tail wheel is a better tail wheel than the Maule.

When you add the rod spring and Aviation products mod, this opens up the door for another nice addition ....a tail wheel pant.

Image Insert:
Image

Put File Caption Here

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805-202-4261


Last edited by admin on Thu Sep 15, 2011 10:26 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Rich Brazell
PostPosted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 2:48 pm 
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Location: Jamul, CA (San Diego area)
All that Tom says is true. Don't buy a Star Bucks for a month and get this last tail rod. A very good investment. You will kick youself in the Arse if you don't get it. Tom's fiberglass products are top shelf also !

RB


Last edited by admin on Thu Sep 15, 2011 2:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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