Tailwheel Spring

[Maddin 2]

Hello,

I have my Avid Mk4 Speeedwing with Rotax 912 retrofitted to tailwheel.
 I bought a used spring of an old Avid. Now it is not as stable and depends heavily through. Where could I (quickly) get a new one that is a bit steep. Or someone has a hint how I can build a spring itself to me.

Regards Martin

[C5Engineer 1170]

If you can get ahold of Brett at Airdale he sells the double spring upgrade.

[Av8r3400 1179]

Wausau Spring makes them for Brett.

http://www.wausauspring.com

[Maddin 2]

Sorry I forgot to Tell I am from Germany.

I think it Would take too long until the parts are by me.

Especially Science I have Heard- of an Avid friend from France That hi has to wait forever for parts.I have no neres for this and will next week in the air.

But I will visit an scrapyard for search for an match leaf spring.

I will report

I am very excited how my Speedwing with 912 Rotax after the exchange from 3 Gear to tailwheel fly.

In order to bring the center of gravity further back I converted the battery in place.

Regarts Martin

[EDMO 1078]

Martin,

My old Kitfox catalog shows a 3-leaf spring for $95 plus shipping, but maybe it is a little more now.

I would think that they ship internationally.

You might find a spring-maker in Germany who could copy your spring.

EDMO

[TJay 1041]

If you have a torch you could make one. Its real easy, lots of youtube out there showing you how to,

[EDMO 1078]

I spent most of my life dealing with metallurgy, heat-treating, and I don't think that hardening/tempering spring steel is a home project - just my 2c worth.

EDMO

[IFMT 36]

Kitfox spring will not work. I tried it. Still have the new spring. Geometry is different because of the straight bottom fuselage on the kitfox versus the curve on the avid. Tailwheel won't caster right with the Kitfox spring. Width is only 1 1/4 on the kitfox. Search "tailwheel spring rear support" in the general hangar. 

Edited 9 Mar 2015 by IFMT

[EDMO 1078]

I should have both kinds of Kitfox spring - need to find the aluminum one - even nose-draggers need a tailwheel when you fold the wings.

The Texas Taildragger 150/150 Trainer had both tailwheel and nosewheel so students wouldn't nose it over when getting used to the brakes on a taildragger.

EDMO

Edited 9 Mar 2015 by Ed In Missouri

[Maddin 2]

Thank You very much.

Today i becoma a old spring from an van.

I must bring it in the right dimensons. But i dont try to bent the Sprig with heat.

I think this is not a homework too.

The angle is fine. Onely the length and width must be done.

I will,report after the work.

Regats Martin

[1avidflyer 1983]

You can cut the spring with a thin abrasive cutting wheel on a 4 1/2" grinder. Try not to get it to hot when cutting. Also, springs can be bent, but must be bent cold unless you retemper them. It takes a hydrolic press to bend the spring, but it's not that hard if you are set up. Jim Chuk

[EDMO 1078]

Polish all marks out of the spring - any mark can cause cracks.

EDMO

[Maddin 2]

Short report:

At first I bent my old (soft) spring cold with the hydraulic press. It works fine!

And now it isnt soft. The angle is very important.

Thank younJim!

Then I cut the new old spring like Jim Chuk told.

But then I must help in my toughters new flat ( paint the wall and so on...

An Freiday I will test the two versions and then I will choose the best.

Best regards from Germany

Martin

[Maddin 2]

So friends, I'm back in the air!
 The 3. design of the spring has passed.

With the 912 Rotax and the Speedwings it is not so easy to land on our short runway (250m). But it goes. only when I use the brakes I'm slightly off track. But I'm learning too.
Thanks for the help and greetings Martin

 

In the Picture Shows the Version two of the Spring with great angle.

[akflyer 1427]

Looks like a nice plane! I would shorten that spring up so you can get a better angle of attack on the wing. You will be able to land and take off shorter if you do.

[EDMO 1078]

Does the Avid spring attach the same or different than the Kitfox?

EDMO

[Maddin 2]

Thank you,

Yes I have shorten up the spring. And yes now I can land shorter.

I dont know the Kitfox spring. Sorry

[akflyer 1427]

Attaches the same.

[Cropduster13 11]

See if you had nosewheel you wouldn't need those spring's

[EDMO 1078]

See if you had nosewheel you wouldn't need those spring's

They work good as a tailhook!

EDMO

[KFfan 151]

They work good as a tailhook!

EDMO

I'm confused. I was on submarines not carriers (thank God).

How can a nosewheel function as a tailhook? Trying to land with an excessive headwind? I've seen a couple videos of that happening.

[akflyer 1427]

I'm confused. I was on submarines not carriers (thank God).

How can a nosewheel function as a tailhook? Trying to land with an excessive headwind? I've seen a couple videos of that happening.

 

Me thinks he meant that if ya have a training wheel, you can use the tail spring as a tail hook... pretty certain it was dripping with sarcasm too, kinda like 90% of what I post

 

[EDMO 1078]

Not the nosewheel - He was talking about a tailspring on a tri-gear - with a hook on it, it's good for stretching a barbed wire fence too!

EDMO

[KFfan 151]

I give up

[EDMO 1078]

Me thinks he meant that if ya have a training wheel, you can use the tail spring as a tail hook... pretty certain it was dripping with sarcasm too, kinda like 90% of what I post

 

Yes, I have gotten used to it...It may be a long summer without kidding me!

The Wright brothers got it correctly from the very first flight, with a nose-skid! Just carrying on the tradition!

EDMO

Edited 28 Mar 2015 by Ed In Missouri