Other aircraft (V3-Rebell)

[Brock]

Found this video while searching for 3VL stuff.  Cute little plane.  Check out how the tailwheel steering is done.  Video link is qued up (38 seconds in) on the best shot of it.

[thseng]

I've often wondered why tailwheels always seem to be loosely coupled to the rudder instead of sharing a common control horn and pivot. I can think of a few possible reasons, I don't know if any of them are correct:

The tailwheel can get banged around a lot, so you want to isolate the rudder, which is a flight control, from wear and tear and possible damage.

Likewise, you can overcome the springs to move the rudder if the tailwheel gets jammed.

You want the tail wheel and the rudder to pivot in a different ratio than 1:1. 

Maybe you want the compliance of the springs in the system to get a certain type of feel to the rudder pedals.

[Brock]

TailWheel: Connected direct to the tail like in the video could be done with springs as well.  I just don't like how some LE's use a cable branched off of the rudder cable.  Chuck seems to have differential braking, I wonder if those with differential brakes have tried just simple swiveling tail wheel not connected to the pedals in any way.

Exhaust: On another note, that exhaust ring looks great.  I'm wondering what the weight gain is, compared to the short pipes most use.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I have flown ships with a swiveling tailwheel, steerable tailwheel, locked tailwheel, and skid. All are controllable, but I much prefer a steerable, especially on hard surface. Why don't you like a cable branched off the rudder cable? It takes the load off of the very delicate aluminum rudder spar and steering arm, and is simple and light. Tailwheels really take a beating on less than perfect sod strips.
As far as the exhaust ring..it would no doubt be *considerably* heavier than stacks, not to mention fabricating it would way beyond "my" capability.  One thing with stacks..keep them plugged with some sort of rubber ball as soon as you shut down. Your valves will thank you.

[Brock]

Chuck, I guess the cable arangement looks untidy to me.  Otherwise, from a technical standpoint I can get along with it.

Did you buy prebent SS tube for your exhause?  What about the flange, cut your own or are they available?  thnx!

[Chuck in Indiana]

Prebent mild steel U from a VW parts place I think. I made the flanges on the cnc mill, then when the engine arrived, there were flanges in the tool kit. 

[Brock]

Prebent mild steel U from a VW parts place I think. I made the flanges on the cnc mill, then when the engine arrived, there were flanges in the tool kit. 

Hmmm, so is the flange the same as on the VW?  It would be nice if Verner would supply such informatione expecially when they don't provide the part.  I've not yet pulled the engine from the box to look but am interested in sourcing parts like the flange etc.  I've purchased SS exhaust tubing for a past project (gyroplane) from burns-stainless.  Might do SS again once I locate the flanges.