lml@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> << Lancair Builders' Mail List >> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Gerald and other Lancair flyers: I have long intended to write on this topic because my 360 had the very same problem and is now entirely corrected---but the solution was quite simple and had nothing at all to do with the rudder! Similar to the takeoff and landing characteristics that you describe, my plane would seem to dive for the left side of the runway and would also require some degree of right brake to maintain straight tracking on the taxi ways. As a new and inexperienced pilot, I always thought this problem was the result of enormous torque of the engine and/or my inexperience as a pilot. Fortunately, I eventually observed that when I killed the engine on the taxi way (even at quite slow taxi speed) the airplane would still veer to the left. The problem in my case was simple though it took me about 20 hours to figure out. My right main gear was canted (leaning) to the RIGHT because the over center link was adjusted too short. Now, it may occur to you that a right-leaning main (whether left or right) should cause the aircraft to veer to the right similar to leaning to the right on a bicycle would cause the bicycle to move to the right--but this would make you only half right (pun). In fact the right cant to the main causes the rear of the airplane to move to the right while the nose gear moves straight ahead causing a left turn of the airplane. The excellent and simple solution was that I adjusted the over center link on the right main to permit just 3/8 inch more outboard movement of that wheel. (From the pilot's seat it required that I extended the right gear wheel outward (to the right) at its base, i.e., where the rubber meets the road. But, be careful! On your airplane, the problem may be the left main or even both mains canted to the right. ALSO, when ever you adjust the mains at the over center links you simultaneously upset numerous adjustments on the hydraulic gear and you will have to hand operate the gears before you attempt to apply power to the hydraulic system. When you power up the hydraulics, do so slowly by stopping every few inches to observe clearances else you may damage a gear door (or worse) as I did. LML website: http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html Builders' Bookstore: http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.