Tailwheel

[Jeff XL79]

Just wanted to add my tailwheel for fun. It's laminated carbon fiber with a wheelchair front wheel.  Mounted on bearings at the swivel in titanium plates. Total overkill but it was fun to make.

Jeff

[Chuck in Indiana]

HooWee.. nice. Light to boot. Gotta love it. Tailwheel assemblies really take a beating, though.. keep an eye on it in service.

[Jeff XL79]

I'll keep both eyes on it. 
Option 2 was to use a half inch titanium rod I picked up years ago at Boeing surplus. That would be a challenge. It would be cool though 😎. 

Jeff

[Chuck in Indiana]

I've used titanium as a tailwheel steering arm and landing gear straps before, but never as a tail spring. Bullet uses titanium on the aileron actuators. 

[Brock]

Jeff, that sure is some nice work.  Reading your and Chuck's posts gives me something to aspire to.

Chuck - I'm in the sourcing process for my build.  I like your wheels, mind if I copy them?  (what I'm really asking is a source so I don't have to reinvent.... well you know)

I've a Sonex that uses both titanium main and tailwheel rods.  I was thinking of their tailwheel setup the other day.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I just got them from the local bicycle shop, told Bicycle Man  that I wanted the strongest lightest bicycle wheels that would handle being dropped for a foot or so on a roughly 475 pound airplane, and this is what he gave me in a week or so. I traded him a tandem bicycle we weren't riding any more and I hadn't had any luck selling for them, so I don't know how much they cost and didn't care.

[Brock]

Hmm now I'm going to have to go out and find a tandem bike    

Thanks!