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Landing qear question

Posted: Fri May 15, 2020 8:46 am
by jocatgo
I damaged the this landing gear after the tailwheel on the left side failed causing the Piet to veer off into the grass ditch. Now I have to get the gear and tailwheel repaired. Attached is a photo of the gear on before. Can anyone identify it so I can get it back right. The tailwheel was a 6x 2.00 Scott. The wheel and axle is fine but the housing weld is cracked. It might be repairable but replacement would be a nice. See photos and if you want to email me the address is jocatgo@cox.net Photos are in reverse order.

Re: Landing qear question

Posted: Sat May 16, 2020 9:12 am
by John Slaughter
This is not directly addressing your question, but might be informative (to me). It looks as though your tailwheel steering torque is delivered through the rudder leading edge, which is quite a bit of stress for the spruce. Some have cables from the rudder pedals direct to the tailwheel steering with no direct connection between rudder and wheel, which can protect against rudder post failure. Am I missing something? (a not infrequent occurrence!)

Re: Landing qear question

Posted: Sat May 16, 2020 3:31 pm
by taildrags
John; this tailwheel steering arrangement where the rudder also steers the tailwheel is used on the Grega GN-1 Aircamper and it saves one set of cables and fairleads from the rudder bar back to the tailwheel. On that airplane, there is a spruce block "wedge" gusset down in the lower front corner of the rudder through which the tailwheel steering horns are bolted. This Piet may have that same block down there to transfer the load between the rudder post and the lower rudder spar... I don't know, but it looks like the connection was strong enough that the rudder remained intact while the metal horns bent.

Oscar Zuniga
Medford, OR
Air Camper NX41CC, A75 power

Re: Landing qear question

Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 2:48 pm
by jocatgo
Your observation about the rudder having a block is correct. There is no damage from the stress of steering. The tailwheel spring just came off. On the other hand I will make a few stiffeners for that horn. Meanwhile, I am look for information about the main landing gear. The dimensions are different than a J3 or Wag Aero J3. If you know anyone with this style landing gear send me a message. I need to verify some dimensions. jocatgo@cox.net

Re: Landing qear question

Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 4:39 pm
by taildrags
jocatgo-

My airplane has the split-style landing gear but with springs instead of bungees. Which part of the landing gear leg or axle are you needing more information on?

Oscar Zuniga
Medford, OR

Re: Landing qear question

Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 4:44 pm
by taildrags
Here's what my gear looks like. I have Cleveland brakes and 6" wheels on the airplane.
gear.jpg
-Oscar

Re: Landing qear question

Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 10:12 pm
by taildrags
jocatgo-

Are those expander-tube brakes that you've got on there?

-Oscar