PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Preventing groundloops in taildraggers
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Old 21st February 2003 | 20:17
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ChrisVJ
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 517
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From: Kelowna Wine Country
CBLong

If the left main wheel is pointing slightly right that is TOE IN.

On old cars we used to have to check the toe in regularly to save on tire wear. The theory was with a degree or two of toe in the 'slack' in the rubber mounts etc would be taken up and the wheels would run true. Of course when front wheel drive came in the situation was often reversed and we set toe out. Problem with FWD and toe out was when you braked the wheels suddenly became even more 'Toe out' leading to altered steering chacteristics. Major advances in steering geometry have almost ruled out these things leaving todays cars duller but safer.

Depending on the type of U/c there may be a case for some toe out on a tail dragger, then if the plane pulled to the right there would be more weight on the left wheel which would then pull 'out' to the left but I don't think the effect would be nearly enough to change direction considering the cg and other forces at work, certainly not worth the extra wear on both tire and gear.
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