At a recent hangar bull session, the topic turned to stress on the leaf spring attach points could varry
depending on the tightness of the steering chains. It was asserted that if you keep the steering springs
tight, and have "immediate direct steering" or movement of the tailwheel initialted from the steering horn, you would exert less stress on the leaf spring attach points, than if you keep the steering springs loose. The justification was that if the steering was loose, then the momentum to turn the airplane would work
through the tire, and exert side forces on the leaf spring. In contrast, if you initiate the turn with the tail wheel steering horn with tight springs, the force would be more fore/aft in the direction of the leaf spring. I had no knowledge from which to argue from, but my real world experience recalls many full swivel tail wheels that work just fine. My own preference is for loose steering springs - this is for handling and have never thought of stress on the leaf spring attach points! I can not follow the arguement, but submitt it for comments. Not having anything to drink,....I find myself at a loss for thought.
......not sure if that's bad or not!:-?
larry
depending on the tightness of the steering chains. It was asserted that if you keep the steering springs
tight, and have "immediate direct steering" or movement of the tailwheel initialted from the steering horn, you would exert less stress on the leaf spring attach points, than if you keep the steering springs loose. The justification was that if the steering was loose, then the momentum to turn the airplane would work
through the tire, and exert side forces on the leaf spring. In contrast, if you initiate the turn with the tail wheel steering horn with tight springs, the force would be more fore/aft in the direction of the leaf spring. I had no knowledge from which to argue from, but my real world experience recalls many full swivel tail wheels that work just fine. My own preference is for loose steering springs - this is for handling and have never thought of stress on the leaf spring attach points! I can not follow the arguement, but submitt it for comments. Not having anything to drink,....I find myself at a loss for thought.
......not sure if that's bad or not!:-?
larry
