Full swivel tail wheel
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 5:48 pm
by Carlos Trigo
Guys
I attended today’s Sonex virtual fly-in, and amongst the good presentations, there was one specifically about tail wheels.
Since I still don’t know nothing about the Sonex tail wheels (I’m still building my XENOS tail kit and have the fuselage kit on order), I forgot to answer.
Is any of the tail wheels, the stock, the factory 4” and 6” improved ones, or the after market (Anson), a full swivel tail wheel?
Carlos
Re: Full swivel tail wheel
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 8:34 pm
by tx_swordguy
To my knowledge all standard sonex wheels do not have full swivel tw. Not sure if there is a swiveling tw available or not. I have not had any issues swinging my sonex around. I doubt it will really be a big deal for you without a swiveling tw.
Full swivel tail wheel
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 10:03 pm
by caveman371
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Full swivel tail wheel
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 10:06 pm
by caveman371
caveman371 wrote:
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Myself and John Gillis have the flyboy accessories tail wheel. Direct drive from 45 to 45 then pops out with a tap of toe brake ( optional). I love mine!
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Re: Full swivel tail wheel
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 10:36 am
by tx_swordguy
That’s interesting I did not know it was available. I have had some serious skidding in my sonex with the small wheel . I attribute it to low weight of the tail along with some cross wind I did not get far enough ahead on. Have no idea if it would have broken loose during those times but I was thankful I had a solid tw and not a chain and spring coupled tw. How well would it break loose without individual brakes. I have a single brake lever so am curious
Full swivel tail wheel
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 10:50 am
by caveman371
Your not gaining anything without having the optional toe brakes. I wouldn’t do that in your configuration
My 2 cents worth
Mike
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Full swivel tail wheel
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 1:14 pm
by Carlos Trigo
Thank you caveman
That’s good to know you are using this tail wheel in your Sonex, and that it works.
I will consider this
Carlos
Full swivel tail wheel
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 1:19 pm
by Carlos Trigo
Mike
In the “flyboy” website there are 3 tw forks: “doug bell”, “screaming eagle” and “eaglet racer” .
Which one did you use on your Sonex?
Carlos
Full swivel tail wheel
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 6:32 pm
by caveman371
I couldn’t tell you which one. I talked to them at Oshkosh a couple of years ago. I told him I had a sonex and he got the correct one for me. I did get the one for a RV ( a little bit different angle) He stopped making the one designed for a sonex because of some complaints by a few. He said if I didn’t like the RV type, he would build up a sonex one for me. Mine gives me a flatter landing angle but I have no problem with that especially if you like to wheel land a bunch.
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Re: Full swivel tail wheel
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2020 9:10 am
by Gordon
Flyboy’s Full Swivel Tail Wheel …….4 Sale
The full swivel tailwheel made for an RV has the wrong angle for a Sonex/Onex.
I found that out when I installed the RV fork from Flyboy’s 2 years ago. After considerable back and forth emailing with Flyboys I sent them the proper angle measurements needed. They then “jigged up” to make the correct angle fork for future Sonex customers.
One of the big advantages with the full swivel is to be able to push the airplane into the hanger tail first as well as pivoting around on one wheel on the ramp…with toe brakes.
I have decided to go a different route and so have this brand new Flyboy’s full swivel tail wheel fork for sale.
It will accept a 4" or a 6" tire/wheel. This fork has the correct angle for a Sonex/Onex and fits the Sonex/Onex tail spring. I will sell it at a discounted price.
Email me for photos and details. gdbaxter78@gmail.com
Gordon………Hummel 2400…Onex 0024
Re: Full swivel tail wheel
Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2020 6:33 am
by gyroron
keep in mind, if you have the stock Sonex drum or even their upgraded hydro brakes… unless you have made some way to have differential braking… a full swivel tailwheel is not something you will want for your sonex. You need to have control over each brake separately to be able to lock or unlock the tailwheel.
There is a possibility that if the locking action is strong enough, you might be able to use one on a sonex with stock brakes, but you would only be able to use the advantages of it swiveling around by manually unlocking it, and really the only advantage at that point would be to be able to push the plane backways on the ramp or into or around the hangar.
I personally think the stock brake set up is cheesy and wish I had toe brakes. You can have so much more control over take-off and landing and taxi operations when you can individually control the brakes. I am sure what the plane comes with is probably the lightest, cheapest and most simple way of providing braking to the airplane and that is why it comes with what it comes with.
Speaking of tailwheels… my plane has a modified version of the older style stock steel set up. Everything is loose and wore out. The wheel is a 4 inch wheel, and it has plenty of wear and its loud. With everything loose on the tailwheel assembly, the plane requires you to really stay active on the rudder pedals as it won’t track straight and true.
I talked to the people at Flyboy about their tailwheel set ups…
I also strongly considered ordering the new improved tailwheel set up from Sonex…
Then found Peter Anson in Australia and his products, and really liked that he was offering a tailwheel with a rubber tire that you pump up. I feel like that should be far better in side to side traction and much less noise. Sadly, because of this Covid pandemic, it may never arrive here thou. It was mailed out to me March 24th, and its still sitting at the post office in Melborne, almost a month later. I am beyond excited to get the parts and get them installed though. Hopefully they find their way onto a plane or boat sometime soon.
Re: Full swivel tail wheel
Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2020 12:17 pm
by Arjay
I have Peter Anson’s tailwheel on my Sonex and love it. It is much quieter and much less vibration while taxiing. The only negative is we had to replace the original tube, as it was rotten, and occasionally needs air.
Ron
Legacy Sonex taildragger, aerovee with aerocarb (for now)
Re: Full swivel tail wheel
Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2020 1:43 pm
by Sonerai13
In any aircraft that has a pneumatic tailwheel, the pilot is highly encouraged to carry an extra tube in the aircraft anytime you plan to land at locations other than home base. I guarantee that the local A&P will not have a tube for a tailwheel tire (if there is such a thing as an “local A&P” at the airport where you have the flat, and you will have a flat sooner or later). I’ll bet you can figure out how I know!
Re: Full swivel tail wheel
Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:38 pm
by Jgibson
Old trick for flat tailwheel tire:
In an emergency, stuff a rag (or tee shirt) in place of a tube. Stuff it as much as you can get in there. Usually good for one GENTLE landing.
Re: Full swivel tail wheel
Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2020 10:20 pm
by sonex892.
I wouldnt go back to either the the direct steering or solid rubber tire. Yes it is dirt simple and it works, those tires never wear out, but they are noisy and have a huge turning circle.
I made my own swiveling tailwheel with pneumatic tire and have been flying with it for the last couple of years. It uses the same scooter tires that Peter Anson uses. Peter, you will be pleased to know after seeing Cavemans photo of the fylyboy tailwheel. I had enough inspiration to make a new lower fork. This raised the wheel and lowered the tail by 40mm. Just did the first flight this morning with 3 landings, No shimmy which was good, just a bit heavier on the steering and less visibility taxiing.
Steve
Sonex 892
