Taxiing tip

[jaylw314]

This might be on the level of a "duh" suggestion, but when I taxi on the ramp, I have to go slow, sometimes VERY slow, otherwise the nose starts bouncing.

Today I tried taxiing across the ramp back to my hangar, but instead of going straight through, I zig-zagged so I was goin about 30 deg across the orientation of the concrete slabs.  Sure enough, it significantly reduced the nose bouncing and I could taxi faster.  Turned the bouncing into something more like a dutch roll since the mains were hitting the slab edges at different times.

Obviously, that's not a great idea on taxiways and such, and at a towered airport, ground might look at you funny, but just thought I'd share that...

[EricJ]

23 minutes ago, jaylw314 said:

This might be on the level of a "duh" suggestion, but when I taxi on the ramp, I have to go slow, sometimes VERY slow, otherwise the nose starts bouncing.

Today I tried taxiing across the ramp back to my hangar, but instead of going straight through, I zig-zagged so I was goin about 30 deg across the orientation of the concrete slabs.  Sure enough, it significantly reduced the nose bouncing and I could taxi faster.  Turned the bouncing into something more like a dutch roll since the mains were hitting the slab edges at different times.

Obviously, that's not a great idea on taxiways and such, and at a towered airport, ground might look at you funny, but just thought I'd share that...

Just tell people you learned in taildraggers.

[Yooper Rocketman]

Pull your yoke to full aft (up elevator).  With the Rocket’s nose heavy tendency, I never taxi without full aft elevator.  It will help with the bouncing too.   

Tom

[jaylw314]

6 hours ago, Yooper Rocketman said:

Pull your yoke to full aft (up elevator).  With the Rocket’s nose heavy tendency, I never taxi without full aft elevator.  It will help with the bouncing too.   

Tom

I do--after every flight, my hands and biceps are sore from holding the yoke all the way back while taxiing.

[RobertGary1]

7 hours ago, jaylw314 said:

I do--after every flight, my hands and biceps are sore from holding the yoke all the way back while taxiing.

I did my private in a taildragger so habits die hard. My instructor would smack you if you didn't have the yoke in your gut during taxi. So I still do it today.

 

-Robert

[jaylw314]

57 minutes ago, RobertGary1 said:

I did my private in a taildragger so habits die hard. My instructor would smack you if you didn't have the yoke in your gut during taxi. So I still do it today.

 

-Robert

My primary instructor taught me the same way.  He'd chant "protect the nosewheel, protect the nosewheel" while we were taxiing all the time

[StevenL757]

11 hours ago, jaylw314 said:

I do--after every flight, my hands and biceps are sore from holding the yoke all the way back while taxiing.

But your nose wheel will smile and thank you.

[bradp]

Trim up and then... Grab the yoke with your forearm instead of hand (kind of hug it in the angle of your elbow) - then you can use your weight to hold the yoke back without using the smaller muscles in your hand / wrist. 

[jaylw314]

14 minutes ago, bradp said:

Trim up and then... Grab the yoke with your forearm instead of hand (kind of hug it in the angle of your elbow) - then you can use your weight to hold the yoke back without using the smaller muscles in your hand / wrist. 

Does trimming actually help during taxiing?  I imagine the horizontal stabilizer travel is much less significant than the elevator travel...

I've got a RAM mount on the yoke, so kind of hard to do the forearm thing...

[jlunseth]

I ride horses, so I just go with the flow.

[Yooper Rocketman]

5 hours ago, bradp said:

Trim up and then... Grab the yoke with your forearm instead of hand (kind of hug it in the angle of your elbow) - then you can use your weight to hold the yoke back without using the smaller muscles in your hand / wrist. 

That’s exactly what I do.  With the Rocket (maybe a 231 thing) I have a huge weight on the yoke linkage so to pull it full aft it’s some work. Great Point !

I have to wonder what the tire pressure and condition of the donuts are?  With an extra 100+ pounds on the nose of my Rocket, I get no bounce unless not pulling the yoke back.  Maybe try 49 lbs. on the nose tire?

Tom

[RobertGary1]

20 hours ago, jaylw314 said:

Does trimming actually help during taxiing?  I imagine the horizontal stabilizer travel is much less significant than the elevator travel...

I've got a RAM mount on the yoke, so kind of hard to do the forearm thing...

It should. I trim up in Mexico on dirt strips because the increased elevator authority lets you get the nose off much, much faster. Only works on Mooney's, not Cessna's with just a trim tab. 

 

-Robert

 

[Hank]

3 minutes ago, RobertGary1 said:

It should. I trim up in Mexico on dirt strips because the increased elevator authority lets you get the nose off much, much faster. Only works on Mooney's, not Cessna's with just a trim tab. 

 

-Robert

 

I can see that helping on your takeoff run, but taxiing?

[jaylw314]

31 minutes ago, Hyett6420 said:

Ok so if pulling the yoke back does not help, then when were your pucks last changed?  Makes a HUGE difference.

They are VERY old (more than 15 years?), but still visibly in good shape and in spec (no gap between the collar and plate).  Yes, I still plan to get them changed out at some point

[RobertGary1]

1 hour ago, jaylw314 said:

They are VERY old (more than 15 years?), but still visibly in good shape and in spec (no gap between the collar and plate).  Yes, I still plan to get them changed out at some point

If they measure good and things are tight I wouldn’t replace them just because of age. There are enough legitimate things to spend money on.

- Robert 

[RobertGary1]

2 hours ago, Hank said:

I can see that helping on your takeoff run, but taxiing?

I don’t actually know. 

-Robert 

[Yooper Rocketman]

My main picks had not been changed in 15 years yet always passed inspection.  I decided to change them a couple years ago and setting the old stack next to the new stack I was amazed at the height difference!   Very noticeable difference in taxi too.  

My nose pucks get changed every 5-7 years, based on the recommendation of Darwin Conrad, the owner of the Rocket STC.

Tom

[Hank]

3 hours ago, Hyett6420 said:

I would change them, after all they are what protects your tanks, wings and fueslage on landing (heavy or otherwise) and a little spent here, will save you a lot spent there.

you WILL notice the difference. 

Mine passed the test, too, but I replaced them at the end of 2013. The manufacture date molded into them (installed upside down) I had read as 06/96, but after removal was actually 09/69!! Talk about a world of difference, both taxiing and landing. I swear my landings improved at least 3 points on a 1-to-10 scale.

[jaylw314]

7 hours ago, Hyett6420 said:

I would change them, after all they are what protects your tanks, wings and fueslage on landing (heavy or otherwise) and a little spent here, will save you a lot spent there.

The main gear pucks are only about 6 years old and in good shape.  It's just the nose gear discs that are old.  

[Hank]

3 minutes ago, jaylw314 said:

The main gear pucks are only about 6 years old and in good shape.  It's just the nose gear discs that are old.  

Old nose gear pucks . . . Extra nose bouncing during taxi . . . Going extra slow on the ramp for steering control. I think I'm seeing a connection.  

[jaylw314]

1 minute ago, Hank said:

Old nose gear pucks . . . Extra nose bouncing during taxi . . . Going extra slow on the ramp for steering control. I think I'm seeing a connection.  

Yup  Of course, being in the habit of holding the nose wheel off on landings and easing it down is probably not a bad habit to have!