I had that happen to me once. Nearly lost control on rollout because the tailwheel steering was so wacky. Kind of herded it off the runway between 2 taxi lights to get in the tall grass where I knew it would slow down quickly and I could get it under control.

It certainly highlighted a disadvantage of long legs in a Champ with heel brakes! I can't twist my heel to get on the brakes well without losing the ability to use the pedals.

Yeah, that was exciting! Violent tailwheel shudder. Kept it on the runway. Got off on the taxiway. I could steer left just fine. To go right, I had to use the brake. I knew something was wrong. Pulled into the maintenance operation (Flight By Knight in Hammond). Steve Greenwood (BTer) took it from there.

Hey, it's just a spring thing. No big deal.

Didn't you get a warranty with that thing?

Dave

Had that happen on the Cub once. Remember it like it was yesterday...

Working on a #2 plane plan myself. Let's get 'em together and swap rides, Tom!

Ooooh. Complicated, and fraught with the possibility of ruining a friendship!

I'm in!

Tom,

Another Champ owner here. Been there done that. Hard to tell in the photo but it looks like the springs may have been installed backwards. The smaller diameter spring MUST be installed on the left side and it must be compressed 3/4 of an inch with the other side installed and the rudder neutral. I have the instruction sheet that comes with the springs if you need it.

Rob

Interesting. Thanks, Rob.

Can you scan or just take a photo of that sheet and send it to me? tom@guntalk.com

Will do later today. Going to the hangar late this afternoon and will retrieve the paperwork then.

Rob

The joy of taildraggers !

Ain't nothing but a thang.

> Didn't you get a warranty with that thing?

Of course Tom got the "standard" warranty:

- 1,500 RPM.
- Or; until your wheels leave the ground.
- Whichever comes first.

Tom,

Just sent spring installation instructions via email. Feel free to email or PM me with any questions.

Rob

Got it. Thanks, Robert.

Not really good photos. iPhone. But, it's a start.

On my c 140, there is a brake cylinder on each of the pedals. I had an o ring go out on one side (slow loss of hydraulic pressure) while flying one day but didn't know it until I tried to pull off the runway. I was too slow for rudder and needed just a touch of brake. That is bad feeling. A quick puff of power on the rudder fixed it but it was close to a runway departure.

In a taildragger, I'd rather have no brakes than one.

After that, I learned to check brake pressure on long final before every landing.


Yep, old taildraggers, all in a days work.