REFLECTOR: wheel shimmy

[Chuck Jensen]

Obviously, the weak spot in Ken's design is the operator?  lol

Chuck Jensen


-----Original Message-----
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org]On
Behalf Of Stockman, Bill
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2009 4:54 PM
To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: wheel shimmy


I wouldn't quite say 100%.   I had his system and it failed on my
173FGE.    The problem with Kens system is what happens when you fail to
pull the pin and turn your airplane--such as leaving the runway quickly
when someone is landing behind you.    Normally the tire just scoots and
everything is fine.   But if the tire actually grabs the runway, then
something has to give--either the pin or the rest of the mechanism.   In
my case it pulled the mechanism up and stripped out the mounting
hardware.   After pulling the pin while taxing, the mechanism set back
down into place and looked totally normal--no evidence of failure (no, I
didn't attempt to tighten the screws which might have indicated a
problem).  Guess what happens next time you "lock" the wheel, fly around
and try to land?   Now the mechanism is not screwed down and if there is
any perturbation at all, it kicks the wheel sideways (shimmy) and now
the mechanism lifts up and moves, screws and all and will actually lock
the wheel sideways or at an angle and you get a real Disneyland ride.   

My wife was not impressed with the ride, but my friends on the side who
witnessed it thought it was rather impressive.

I think Ken has a good idea, but it biggest fault is that the pin is
stronger than the rest of the mechanism and will not shear off before
damaging the rest of the wheel and holding mechanism.   I realize others
have used this system successfully with no apparent problems.  However,
if you ever forget to pull the pin and turn the plane--especially at
speed--you need to fully inspect the system--which is really tough to do
after you cover it with your wheel pant--which was the whole purpose of
installing the system.   MTCW.   

Bill Stockman, Senior Associate
Dayton Aerospace
 
(937) 369-4799 cell
(937) 426-4300 work
bill.stockman at daytonaero.com

-----Original Message-----
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Chuck Jensen
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2009 4:24 PM
To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: wheel shimmy

Well, the 100% solution for all tires, all the time, is Ken Mishler's
nose gear lock.  Engage during take-off roll and disengage on rollout.
Before I installed it, it was always a struggle to find the optimum
setting for the nose gear.  Too loose and I would get shimmy.  Too
tight, and it was a pain to taxi.  With Ken's lock, it is just right.

Chuck Jensen

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