New Tailwheel Supplier

Source: 2011 Q2 Beartracks, Eric Newton11q2taylor5 The Bob Barrows designed tailwheels are now being manufactured and sold by Bearhawk Tailwheels LLC. The tailwheels are available for the 4-place Bearhawk, as well as the 2-place Patrol. These tailwheels are built per Bob Barrows' design and under his watchful eye. Bob has personally overseen the process of tooling up for the production of these tailwheels to assure top quality work. His name is on it, so he wants it right. You and your tailwheel will benefit from the active and direct involvement of the design engineer, with 40+ years of engineering expertise and 4,000+ hours of actual tailwheel time.
This year, Bob conducted a complete top to bottom review of his design, and made many improvements in the Bearhawk Tailwheel. Included are Anti-shimmy enhancements, increased positive steering lock, and a smoother release to full swivel. The tailwheels manufactured by Bearhawk Tailwheels LLC, are the only ones that have these new enhancements built in. The Bearhawk Tailwheels, which will be selling starting in September 2011, will come in both the 8" and 10" versions (the Tundra will be available shortly thereafter).
For more information and contact info, go to http://bhtailwheels.com

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Tail Spring Mounting Problems Visited: Reference Drawing #19

Source: 2009 Q1 Beartracks, Bob Barrows09q1tailspring
Some Bearhawk aircraft are having problems with the tail spring getting loose on the airframe attach points
and/or having the tailwheel becoming loose to the tail spring. Please check your aircraft.
09q1tailspring2The AN7 bolt holding the front of the spring goes thru a 5/8” O.D. X 7/16” I.D. Tube. The tail spring sets on this tube which is welded to the tail wire attach plate. You may need a washer to spread the load between the 5/8” tube and the tail spring onto the attach plate. Also, it would be good to have a washer under the head of the bolt at the bottom of the spring. The washer should be about 7/8” - 1.00” O.D. And 1/16” - 3/32” thick. The attachment at the tail post is by a 'U' clamp using (2) AN4 bolts. The 'U' clamp should lightly clamp the spring.
The spring clamp ears should not be bent when the AN4 bolts are fully tightened. Use shims between the tail post fitting and the clamp ears. The tail wheel is attached to the tail spring by a AN7 bolt. There should be a 1” O.D. X 3/32” to 1/8” thick (4130) washer on the underside of the tail spring. Tighten this AN7 bolt up to full torque.

This article is available for purchasers of 2009 Beartracks access. Click here to purchase access or validate your prior 2009 subscription. Multi-year bundles are available here.