Tail wheel suspension

[Battson]

The performance is clearly excellent, as you would expect with a damped system compared to a straight spring. I would really love to see how it performs on an uneven rough surface like a riverbed.

I hope there's any simple, light, aerodynamic, and effective way to protect the system from the relentless damage my tailwheel ensures!

[Blackrock]

Had it out in the rough this weekend in the California desert and with a full load. Worked great so far but yes, there is always the chance of rock strikes damaging a shock. They cost about $85 each so if that's a concern, it would be simple to build a fairing/shield for them. For now, I'm using thin neoprene to guard against the small stuff. It's just great to not feel any jarring or bounce from the tail on the ground. I'm happy with it so far and will keep putting it through it's paces.

I received the kit to add steering to it as I've been flying with out and can't say that I miss not having TW steering. I use the brakes for that mostly, but I'll give this new steering set up a try to see how I like it. Kind of counter intuitive, but removing steering actually makes it easier to steer with brakes and it is more responsive - a double edged sword. A cross wind taxi would be a chore, however.

Mike

[Battson]

Yes - particularly if you are off airport there are few downsides. I flew without TW steering for about 100hrs. The crosswind handling, particularly for long taxies across a large airport, is the biggest chore.

Have you noticed any measurable airspeed loss? What speed are you cruising at for a given power setting? Clearly it's not the primary concern with your setup, I am just curious as to whether this TW unit might be right for me. Its clear to see the reduction in landing impact is significant.

[Blackrock]

I haven't been been able to quantify if there is any speed loss yet. I'm either flying when it's substantially colder (lower DA), and or much higher weights. I'm curious to find out, but similar conditions to my normal flying. A normal cruise for me is 8500 feet, 19 squared, 125mph TAS, 9 gph with the O-540 full fuel, 190 pounds of me and maybe 75 lbs of stuff and 29-inch Bushwheels.

[Blackrock]

I just posted a general update on the T3 Tailwheel Suspension at BCP site (link below). Not all that much to report since the snow and weather are keeping me mostly grounded. I'm still very pleased with how this system is performing, even though we are still fine tuning it for Bearhawks and don't have the TW steering hooked up yet, but we are getting close. Also, I'm trying out some coil over shocks for a while to see how they compare to the air shocks.

Dan Dufault, the designer and manufacturer has been excellent to work with making this a very fun project. Russ Boyd has been helping me out to the shocks adjusted and tuned for the Bearhawk. I'll do a full report after we get it 100% fit to a Bearhawk and have had some more time to use it off airport. If you operate of rough terrain, you'll want to take a close look at these. Stay tuned for more.

[JimParker256]

Could it be made to work with the stinger-type tail wheel springs, like the Patrol uses? Not sure that I will actually do enough rough country flying to need it, but it is interesting...

[Blackrock]

Not sure about that one, Jim. Might be worth asking Bobby Breeden what they ave in mind.

[Cubamigo]

Hi Jim
Could you send a picture of the stinger setup?
Supercubsnorth@gmail.com
Dan Dufault


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[JimParker256]

Sure. Here are a few shots of that area:

[patrickh99]

Jim,
Did you see the attached photo at https://www.backcountrypilot.org/for...spension-18432 ? A modified stinger-like tailwheel.

[JimParker256]

I did see that one, but it looks like side-loads could be a problem with that setup. I can't see anything other than the hinge-bolt to provide lateral support for side-loading. What do you guys think?

[lsa140]

It would be interesting to do something where the stinger socket pivoted and was internally suspended. It might help with absorbing side loads/bottoming hard. The beauty of the T3 is the ability to bolt to a standard spring mount. Thanks for all of the information and videos Blackrock

[Cubamigo]

Hi Jim
That is a nice setup. It would be a a big change in design for the T3. But I will do some thinking of a way to make it happen. Is this a light sport?


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[JimParker256]

The tail section in the pictures is the standard Patrol, not the LSA version. Mine is still in the early stages of construction, but most of those I've seen Weight and Balance info on have come in around 1,050-1,150 lbs empty, with a gross of 2,000 lbs.

[Sid]

Here is a couple of photos from a current Highlander build by Steve Henry - Wild West Aircraft.... last version of tail wheel suspension

[Chris In Milwaukee]

Wow! Nice!

[lsa140]

Interesting, thanks for posting.

[Cubamigo]

Jim, Sid has got a nice weld in setup. if you are building, it might be the way to go. the T3 is a replacement for existing leaf spring design similar to Mike Creeks Bearhawk. he has been super involved with testing for me. I have several Bearhawk guys waiting for him to report on the coil over shock suspension.

[Blackrock]

All,

I tried to post a review update here, but there must be too many photos, videos, and links to successfully put it up here. I'm not familiar enough with the workings of this site to be able to do so. Instead, you can view the update at:

https://www.backcountrypilot.org/com...263026#p263026

Sorry about that.

Mike