CLS447
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2003
- Messages
- 6,324
- Location
- Reading, PA
- Aircraft
- Air Command 503 & Air Command SxS /EJ2.5
- Total Flight Time
- Aprox 400 gyro
While redesigning my nosewheel & steering system on my SxS AC, I have been comparing notes with the RAF & SH's system.
Today I went to see Larry B.'s new machine & made an eye opening discovery.
What actually turns the nosewheel on these machines?
When the right pedal on the pilots side is pushed, the rod on the left passenger's pedal pushes back on the steering "knuckle". How does this happen?
Well, the rudder cable from the R pilot pedal is pulled, this rotates the rudder & pulls back on the left pass. pedal which then pushes on the Knuckle & turns the wheel. And visa versa.
I guess you all knew that! I just didn't realize the the stresses of turning the nosewheel were actually on the rudder cables!
Obviously it works fine, but if one were to lose a rudder cable, you would also lose your nosewheel steering.
No big deal, but with all this stuff about crimping & bungee cords on the pedals it just makes me feel better about having push/pull teleflex cables!
My system I am building on my AC is different in the aspect that my nosewheel is in front of, not behind my pedals, like the RAF.
I will have it so that when I push the pilot right pedal my steering rod
will directly push the steering knuckle to the right. When I push the pilot left pedal the movement will be transfered to the passenger left pedal via the connecting rod & then directly push the knuckle to the left.
The rudder cables are an entirely different thing. I could lose steering but still have rudder control or lose rudder & still have steering. Or I could just smash into the ground & lose everything!
If you lose one rudder cable , you could still use the rudder with the push/pull cable. (heel/toe).
No big deal , just a recent observation that I have never heard anyone talk about before. Thanks
Today I went to see Larry B.'s new machine & made an eye opening discovery.
What actually turns the nosewheel on these machines?
When the right pedal on the pilots side is pushed, the rod on the left passenger's pedal pushes back on the steering "knuckle". How does this happen?
Well, the rudder cable from the R pilot pedal is pulled, this rotates the rudder & pulls back on the left pass. pedal which then pushes on the Knuckle & turns the wheel. And visa versa.
I guess you all knew that! I just didn't realize the the stresses of turning the nosewheel were actually on the rudder cables!
Obviously it works fine, but if one were to lose a rudder cable, you would also lose your nosewheel steering.
No big deal, but with all this stuff about crimping & bungee cords on the pedals it just makes me feel better about having push/pull teleflex cables!
My system I am building on my AC is different in the aspect that my nosewheel is in front of, not behind my pedals, like the RAF.
I will have it so that when I push the pilot right pedal my steering rod
will directly push the steering knuckle to the right. When I push the pilot left pedal the movement will be transfered to the passenger left pedal via the connecting rod & then directly push the knuckle to the left.
The rudder cables are an entirely different thing. I could lose steering but still have rudder control or lose rudder & still have steering. Or I could just smash into the ground & lose everything!
If you lose one rudder cable , you could still use the rudder with the push/pull cable. (heel/toe).
No big deal , just a recent observation that I have never heard anyone talk about before. Thanks