Brian Trubee and Dave Leonard.
How much slack do you have in your RV tail wheel chains?
Have you ever tried no slack?

Paul Lamar


The length changes as you change the rudder from side to side.  There should
be just enough slack so that it does not restrict in either direction.  That
means very little slack.

Better yet, I highly recommend one of these:
http://www.flyboyaccessories.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66&products_id=242

those chains have a tendency to break, the like is far neater.  You can
check mine out next time I fly up.
Also, if Mike has not already changed it out, I highly highly recommend the
full-swivel tail wheel.  Makes moving the plane around SOOO much easier.
Found at Vans Store:
http://www.vansaircraft.com/cgi-bin/catalog.cgi?ident=1309503585-362-393&browse=airframe&product=tailwheel-assy

-- David Leonard

Turbo Rotary RV-6 N4VY
http://N4VY.RotaryRoster.net
http://RotaryRoster.net


I have the full swivel. It looks like this. I set up with no slack. In other
words the springs are slightly preloaded with about half a pound each.
BAG 489 in the Vans catalog page 78.

There appears to be as many opinions on tail wheels as there are RV fliers :)

Some say slack is good in a cross wind landing. I suspect if there is a difference in track angle and rudder angle the wheel will pop into
auto swivel.

Paul Lamar


I just checked, and I have very little slack in my tailwheel chains, and the hole in the elevator horns allows me to use a socket to tighten the nut and bolt holding them to the elevator bearing. The hole was drilled far enough away from the tube so that I have sufficient clearance.


Brian Trubee