Bushmaster tailfeathers

K

King Brown

Registered User

Nova Scotia

• Dec 4, 2018

• #1

After building my Bushmaster/Producer 10 years ago, I'm wondering if I should have stayed with Tripacer or Piper PA-18 tail feathers. Because of extra weight of 180hp Lycomng and 84" Mac prop, I squared off SC rudder, added several inches length to stab, elevators, all 4130. It's a little twitchy compared to my earlier SC and I'm wondering if I'd be better served by stock SC tail feathers.(I love the plane.)

 

scotthayd

Registered User

• Dec 4, 2018

• #2

I'm curious what you think about this now.

I also have a bushmaster - certified with a 180 horse and edo 2440's.

I wish I had a little more rudder. When I make a step-turn it sometimes takes nearly all the rudder I've got to stop the turn from continuing. I don't care for that. The elevators are stock tripacer. With VG's they do a good job.

 

K

King Brown

Registered User

Nova Scotia

• Dec 4, 2018

• #3

Lakes I use are too small or rocky for step turns. My rudder is squared-off PA-18. Another Bushmaster buddy is not pleased on 2440s. My aircraft is on Eddy Peck's 2250s.

 

S

stewartb

MEMBER

…

• Dec 4, 2018

• #4

Sounds like my Wildcat and the forward CG. Add some weight aft and see if that calms it down.

 

skywagon8a

MEMBER

SE Mass MA6

• Dec 4, 2018

• #5

scotthayd said:

I also have a bushmaster - certified with a 180 horse and edo 2440's.

I wish I had a little more rudder. When I make a step-turn it sometimes takes nearly all the rudder I've got to stop the turn from continuing. I don't care for that. The elevators are stock tripacer.

Click to expand...

Use more up elevator your bows are too low which will tend to pull the turns tighter.

 

S

stewartb

MEMBER

…

• Dec 4, 2018

• #6

Figure Eight Lake on a lazy summer afternoon. A few sandbags to adjust CG fore and aft, and an afternoon spent exploring trim settings. That's fun stuff. maybe the only thing I miss about flying floats. Okay, that and the 4th of July on the Kvichak.

 

sadams

Registered User

Lopez Island, WA

• Mar 4, 2019

• #7

I've got the standard PA-18 tail and aileron on my certified Bushmaster and Sullivan Wing tips and VG's. Steep turns are easy to coorinate and the plane is very stable. The roll rate is also seems good.