REFLECTOR: wheel shimmy

[aminetech at bluefrog.com]

Another issue with the tension at 14 lbs or so, is that it's difficult to get the plane exactly straight with the runway and that results in the need for braking during takeoff.  Not a good thing if takeoff distance is critical.

John

--- scott at tnstaafl.net wrote:

From: Scott Derrick <scott at tnstaafl.net>
To: Velocity <velocityxl at fastmail.fm>,        Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list <reflector at tvbf.org>
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: wheel shimmy
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:30:19 -0700

Ron,

I have about 450 hours of flying on my V.  With the bellevue washer system.

It is adequate, but certainly not optimal.  The problems for me are,

1.)  Hard to turn. Specifically hard to break into a turn, once the
wheel breaks free it turns fairly easily, leading to the next problem. 
The tighter you have teh bellevue washers the harder to initiate a turn.

2.) In tight situations, its easy to over turn so that the wheel is now
near 90 degrees and then its tough to get it to straighten out. 
Sometimes I've had to get out and kick the nose tire straight before
continuing a taxi.

3.) Bellevue's continuing tendency to loosening up.  Even though I check
it before every flight I have had it loosen up to much and then get a
bit of shimmy on landing, not a good feeling, especially for passengers
who imagine the worst.  As some have mentioned,  how you land and how
much weight on the nose can influence if you get a shimmy or not.

A system that did not require constant maintenance/attention and
provided easier turning would be a great addition.  The bellevues have
simplicity and proven performance on their side, which in airplanes is a
big big plus.

Scott

Velocity wrote:
> Now being on this list for over 10 years now I know this issue keeps coming 
> up. It seems
> the answer usually goes to set the tension on the front wheel to 14 lbs of 
> pull or something like that
> and you should not have a problem. Is this not true? I have heard that this 
> should be
> on the preflight check list. Does this number change and really need to be 
> adjusted regularly?
> If so maybe  we just need to find the way to get the tension to stay within 
> a range that works.
> Or perhaps  there are people that feel that there is a better mouse trap out 
> there and are working
> toward a simpler/ better design for the front wheel which is great. So is 
> there a steering Issue?
> Or is there a real problem that needs to be addressed? Just wondering 
> because I have not
> had the joy yet of being in the front seat and seeing for my self. One of 
> these days, One of these
> days.
>
> Ron
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Sid Knox" <sbjknox at earthlink.net>
> To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 11:56 PM
> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: wheel shimmy
>
>
>   
>> From: "Scott Derrick" <scott at tnstaafl.net>
>>     
>>> Sid,
>>> Can you give an update on the damper? Working well?
>>>       
>> Working great.  Never a hint of shimmy.  The big nut is tight only enough 
>> to
>> take up any slack.  With damper disconnected, completely free of friction.
>>
>>     
>>> How many landings on the system?
>>>       
>> Several dozen since install in Spring of 2006.
>>
>>     
>>> Did you ever put external stops on it so the damper wouldn't bottom out?
>>>       
>> No.  I can make the sharp 120 degree turn on the narrow taxiway leading to
>> my ramp no problem.
>>
>>     
>>> Ever miss not having a fulling castoring nose wheel?
>>> Scott
>>>       
>> Not yet.  I simply pick up the nose and walk it around if needed.  With no
>> passenger(s) inside of course... its too heavy for me otherwise.  Pushing
>> backwards is easier too without the tendency for the wheel to caster 
>> around
>> backwards.
>>
>> Sid
>>
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