Alternative Tail Wheel Lock Lever?
-
- Veteran Member
- Posts: 356
- Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2015 11:40 am
- Location: Cave Creek, AZ
Alternative Tail Wheel Lock Lever?
Anyone using the manual trim lever for the Pekola tail wheel lock? If so, how did you get it to stay in the unlocked position? I'm trying to figure out a way to lock it in the open position.
Clark
Clark
Building SuperSTOL Kit 512
Cave Creek, AZ
Cave Creek, AZ
- stede52
- Premium Member
- Posts: 1066
- Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2007 11:40 am
- Location: Carnation, WA
Re: Alternative Tail Wheel Lock Lever?
I would contact Jim and see if he has any ideas for you if you really want to go that route, why not use Jims locking lever? it works
Steve D N419LD
- mac
- Seasoned Member
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2012 7:57 pm
- Location: Grass Valley, CA.
Re: Alternative Tail Wheel Lock Lever?
The Pekola tail wheel lock works quite well. Very pleased. To release after landing you occasionally have to move the rudder back and forth a bit, but hardly a problem.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Mark M.
N49SS in Phase 2....for good!
N49SS in Phase 2....for good!
- danerazz
- Veteran Member
- Posts: 1243
- Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:33 pm
- Location: Bangor
Re: Alternative Tail Wheel Lock Lever?
While I do not have this tailwheel, and it looks like the included latch would work quite well, I am not inclined to question why you want to do it differently (I would be a huge hypocrite).
So, after looking at the design requirements to use the trim lever, as long as you added a positive stop on the lever for the unlock position, and attached the cable in a way that it would create an over-center position to hold it in the desired condition, you should easily be able to make it work.
So, after looking at the design requirements to use the trim lever, as long as you added a positive stop on the lever for the unlock position, and attached the cable in a way that it would create an over-center position to hold it in the desired condition, you should easily be able to make it work.
Dane
Paralysis by analysis
#242
Paralysis by analysis
#242
-
- Veteran Member
- Posts: 356
- Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2015 11:40 am
- Location: Cave Creek, AZ
Re: Alternative Tail Wheel Lock Lever?
Ok, thanks for the responses. I've seen others to what I'm asking but of course can't find the threads.
I originally had the lever in the standard place by the fuel selector. I was told during an inspection of my airplane that I should move the lever to a different location. The reason was that it was unsafe, in an emergency situation you would have to pass your hand over the tail wheel lock to get to the fuel valve. I didn't argue and I'm sure it's not a problem but I decided to move it to the manual trim lever since I have gone to electric trim. There isn't an elegant way to use the lever provided in this location so I have to come up with my own locking system.
Thanks,
Clark
I originally had the lever in the standard place by the fuel selector. I was told during an inspection of my airplane that I should move the lever to a different location. The reason was that it was unsafe, in an emergency situation you would have to pass your hand over the tail wheel lock to get to the fuel valve. I didn't argue and I'm sure it's not a problem but I decided to move it to the manual trim lever since I have gone to electric trim. There isn't an elegant way to use the lever provided in this location so I have to come up with my own locking system.
Thanks,
Clark
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Building SuperSTOL Kit 512
Cave Creek, AZ
Cave Creek, AZ
- BDA
- Veteran Member
- Posts: 709
- Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:25 am
- Location: Kenai Alaska
Re: Alternative Tail Wheel Lock Lever?
Hahaha
Thought that said Tail Hook at first!
(No glasses)
Thought that said Tail Hook at first!
(No glasses)
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
- danerazz
- Veteran Member
- Posts: 1243
- Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:33 pm
- Location: Bangor
Re: Alternative Tail Wheel Lock Lever?
Simple 90deg arm at bottom of lever, creates an over center position. Push lever forward to unlock, pull aft and it goes over-center and then shortens up to allow TW to lock. From what it looks like you only need about 1/2”-3/4” travel, set the geometry up so it is “just” over center when lever is all the way forward and most of the travel aft will be slack to allow TW to lock. At most you need to make a small tab that is bolted/riveted to the lever and a cable fitting appropriate to attach the cable and allow some swivel.
Dane
Paralysis by analysis
#242
Paralysis by analysis
#242
-
- Veteran Member
- Posts: 356
- Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2015 11:40 am
- Location: Cave Creek, AZ
Re: Alternative Tail Wheel Lock Lever?
Sorry, I forgot to credit the above picture to gkremers. It is a pic of his TW lock lever. I've sent him a PM to see about his setup.
Thanks,
Clark
Thanks,
Clark
Building SuperSTOL Kit 512
Cave Creek, AZ
Cave Creek, AZ
- BDA
- Veteran Member
- Posts: 709
- Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:25 am
- Location: Kenai Alaska
Re: Alternative Tail Wheel Lock Lever?
Now I have to add a Tail Hook lever
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
-
- Veteran Member
- Posts: 356
- Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2015 11:40 am
- Location: Cave Creek, AZ
Re: Alternative Tail Wheel Lock Lever?
Would that be illegal at STOL Drags?BDA wrote:Now I have to add a Tail Hook lever
Building SuperSTOL Kit 512
Cave Creek, AZ
Cave Creek, AZ
- danerazz
- Veteran Member
- Posts: 1243
- Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:33 pm
- Location: Bangor