Do we need the rudder detention?

I have 70 hours on my plane now and my rudder is just as stiff as when I first flew it. My bungee broke at 18 hours and the rudder was loose as a goose, wish I could have that free movement again. Walt Synder has flattened his V Block which I'm thinking is a great idea. When I'm flying I have to push through the detention and then the rudder gets easier. Descending I need left rudder to center the ball and hold it or the ball goes to the left. Has anyone had a solution to this pressure? I'm use to it now and glance at the ball constantly to keep it coordinated, otherwise you get the oil canning letting you know you need to do something. I love these planes and sure hope we can improve this one inconvenience to have control harmony. None of this bothers me during landing or takeoff as you are just reacting to which way the nose is pointing and correcting for it, it's just that initial push through the rudder V Block that seems to be bothersome.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Maltais on December 14, 2014 at 8:27am

Out of curiosity, I sat in mine (not flying yet) and pumped the rudder pedals.  They are a hair stiff, but the nose is on the ground and it moves, for what seems to me, pretty easy.  It's sitting on concrete my shop now.  My engine ain't light too boot!!!!  I'm sure once the nose is in the air it will be even easier!  I don't have any lube on the block yet either!!! 

I'm wondering if maybe some builds have the upper nyloid in the top shelf of the firewall cockeyed or too snug?  Might be the gear leg is a hair off angle as well?  I hate the bungee as well and am looking at the Viking steel spring replacement option until I get my amphibs done...

Permalink Reply by Bob Pustell on December 14, 2014 at 7:49pm

The problem surfaces when there is no weight on the nose wheel (in flight, in other words). That is when the V block thing is sitting in the notch and centering the rudder pedals while the nose strut is fully extended, no weight on the strut -- that is also when it becomes awkward to get the rudder linkage to move out of that V block smoothly, many folks have a "bump" out of the center position of the rudder pedals in flight. Try getting your nose wheel off the ground by pulling or pushing the tail down to the floor and then see what your rudder control feels like while the strut is fully extended.

Permalink Reply by Jan Eggenfellner on January 4, 2015 at 1:09pm

Sure helped on our airplane 

http://vikingaircraftengines.ning.com/steel-bungee-spring/steel-bun...  

Jan Eggenfellner 

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