REFLECTOR: Flat wrench

[Scott Baker]

For many of our younger and physically fit owners, what you say is true.
On the other hand, I've encounter more than a few Velocity models with a 
very heavy nose weight - and to lift the nose off the ground was hernia 
producing.  Many Velocity owners (because of age or disability) simply don't 
have the physical ability to lift 100 pounds (or more!), stand on one foot, 
and push the nose wheel around with their other foot.  Unfortunately, this 
important check - which really should be done during every preflight ... 
really, before every flight, is often ignored.
A reminder to everyone - Nyloc lock nuts have a service life ... not in 
days, but in the number of times the nut is removed and used.  With each 
successive use, the Nyloc nut looses some of it's griping ability.  (Some of 
the A&P's out there, please correct me) I believe the recommended maximum 
cycles for Nyloc's are three (3) times, at which point they should be 
replaced.
I know that some Velocity aircraft are flying with the original nylon lock 
nut - and it should not come as a surprise that the nose wheel fork caster 
tension can come loose following normal flight operations - and especially 
when the nose has a hard landing - and absolutely after any hint of a nose 
wheel shimmy.
Fixed gear model pilots are the most vulnerable - 1) because (unless you 
make an access hole in the nose wheel fairing) adjusting the nut requires 
the removal of the fairing, and 2) if the tension should become loose, that 
big ole nose wheel fairing will become cocked (there is no self-centering 
mechanism like in the RG models).  When the next landing comes, it will 
likely invite over-stress and shimmy.
Scott B.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Scott Derrick" <scott at tnstaafl.net>
To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2004 10:27 PM
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Flat wrench


>I don't understand all this concern with the nose wheel nut?
>
> I kick the tire when I preflight to verify its not loose.  Its always 
> tight.
>
> I removed the fork every annual and regrease the washers, retighten the 
> nut.
>
> I think I have tightened it once other than at the annual inspection, I 
> had taxied through lots of water and snow for a couple months and it got 
> loose.
>
> I  put 100 to 125 hours a year on my plane.
>
> Scott
>