rudder cable question

[Bob Loer]

The tail dragger I am building shows a closed loop rudder cable system. That
is to say both front pedals are joined by a cable that loops around a pulley
in front of the control stick on the floor. There are also pedal return
springs.

Is this extra weight and complexity needed? What is the advantage or
disadvantage? One point that my be pertinent is the rudder cable branches
off with a lower cable to the tail wheel just after it exits the fuselage.

Any thoughts appreciated.

--
Robert Loer
LM-5X-W
Southern Oregon

[Rich S.]

"Bob Loer" > wrote in message
...
> The tail dragger I am building shows a closed loop rudder cable system.
That
> is to say both front pedals are joined by a cable that loops around a
pulley
> in front of the control stick on the floor. There are also pedal return
> springs.
>
> Is this extra weight and complexity needed? What is the advantage or
> disadvantage? One point that my be pertinent is the rudder cable branches
> off with a lower cable to the tail wheel just after it exits the fuselage.
>
> Any thoughts appreciated.

My Emeraude plans show the same arrangement, but after looking over the
setup on a friend's RV-4 I decided to save the weight and complexity. I
haven't found any down side to not having them closed loop. (Wow! a triple
negative!)

Rich S.

[Frank]

The springs are prolly for feel or extra pedal force.

[Ron Wanttaja]

On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 10:53:31 -0800, "Bob Loer" > wrote:

>The tail dragger I am building shows a closed loop rudder cable system. That
>is to say both front pedals are joined by a cable that loops around a pulley
>in front of the control stick on the floor. There are also pedal return
>springs.
>
>Is this extra weight and complexity needed? What is the advantage or
>disadvantage? One point that my be pertinent is the rudder cable branches
>off with a lower cable to the tail wheel just after it exits the fuselage.

Without the return cable, your pedals may flop backwards due to the weight
of the rudder cables and the ground attitude. If there's no stop, you may
end up with them falling flat on the floor if you take your feet off them.
A little tough to get back upright.

Some light springs (or just a limit cable) would do the trick.

The springs on my airplane are kind of weak, so the cables go a bit slack
when the plane is sitting on the ground. I regularly have people come up
and "warn" me that there's something wrong with my rudder cables....

Ron Wanttaja

[Rich S.]

"Ron Wanttaja" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 10:53:31 -0800, "Bob Loer" > wrote:
>
> Without the return cable, your pedals may flop backwards due to the weight
> of the rudder cables and the ground attitude. If there's no stop, you may
> end up with them falling flat on the floor if you take your feet off them.
> A little tough to get back upright.
>
> Some light springs (or just a limit cable) would do the trick.

Toe brake linkage will also act as a limit.

Rich S.

[Phil]

I remember during my first solo circuit many years ago a twin cut across in
front of me on downwind. I stomped on the brakes so hard that if the
Cherokee hadn't had something similar, I swear I would have torn the control
horns off the rudder.

Phil Maley
Perth Australia

[David O]

"Phil" <philatwotechdotcomdotau> wrote:

>I remember during my first solo circuit many years ago a twin cut across in
>front of me on downwind. I stomped on the brakes so hard that if the
>Cherokee hadn't had something similar, I swear I would have torn the control
>horns off the rudder.
>
>Phil Maley
>Perth Australia

Along similar lines, my first attempt to taxi an airplane found me
weaving back and forth across the taxiway as I tried to steer with the
yoke. Yes, I knew to use the rudder pedals to steer but that didn't
stop me from going to the yoke on several occasions early on. :)

David O -- http://www.AirplaneZone.com

[B2431]

>From: David O


>Along similar lines, my first attempt to taxi an airplane found me
>weaving back and forth across the taxiway as I tried to steer with the
>yoke. Yes, I knew to use the rudder pedals to steer but that didn't
>stop me from going to the yoke on several occasions early on. :)
>
>David O -- http://www.AirplaneZone.com
>
I think we all did that at least once. I did it the first time in a T-39.

Dan, U. S. Air Force, retired