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Comment by Jan Eggenfellner on October 2, 2014 at 6:49am

"I have a flying CH-701 at present and was always wondering how to improve the bungee on the nose wheel strut.  I have added a collar to the strut to keep it from total collapse but am leery of the keeping the prop out of the dirt if the bungee "shits the bed".  I noticed your picture on the Zenith Builders site and backed through all the available pictures plus the ones you show on your site.  I am curious about more detailed pictures showing how your system works -  and what modifications are necessary to install your system.  Right now the bungee holds the nose strut down against a aluminum "L" bracket which causes friction in the rudder system. Also torquing the bungee as the rudder move adds to the system stiffness - ala' the 701 rudder that doesn't want to center.  I couldn't tell from your pictures how your system works thus my email.  Thanks in advance for you response."

Very good questions and you show a clear understanding of the limitations of the original system.  I am not going to describe how the Viking Steel Bungee system works in detail right now, since a Video would be much better.  Also, two additional features are in the works, that address your concerns of continued system friction, even in flight.  

Basically, the steel bungee works in reverse of the rubber bungee.  The spring sit on a Teflon "washer", riding on the original internal cross tube, normally supporting the bungee, externally.  The load is transferred to the original cross tube (the one behind the strut held in place with a cotter pin at each end) through wire ropes.  Currently, the pre-load of the spring, much like the bungee, is held by the Delrin blocks at the bottom, supported by an aluminum plate.  The ramp effect of the Delrin material has been milled away and the steering arms now ride on a flat surface.  A continued improvement of this is in the works by simply pre-loading the spring itself, rather than down towards the bottom firewall support, eliminating in-flight friction of the system and adding to the flight experience of the aircraft.   Machined ends are also being added to the spring, rather than the prototype  weldment.

Comment by Jan Eggenfellner on October 1, 2014 at 7:32pm

Not at all.   This system has no friction compared to that of pulling a stretchy rubber cord up / down and around.  The "Viking Steel Bungee" is superior in every way.  

  • No maintenance other than a squirt of WD-40 during the annual inspection.
  • Not getting stranded somewhere far from home, calling the factory to get an overnight bungee sent
  • Much better and longer suspension travel.  The bungee is very harsh.  Stretching out, snapping close.  
  • 2 more lb is an excellent compromise to gain this reliability.   
Comment by Scott Sutton on October 1, 2014 at 5:04pm

Also, I spoke with Rodger and he expressed a wish for the rudder to move easier in flight

Is there any concerns that if this system were to bind that the rudder could become stuck in position?

Comment by Jan Eggenfellner on October 1, 2014 at 4:23pm

Hi Norm

Other than the two slots you see in the above picture, there are no modifications anywhere.  The spring does not turn, the tube turns around it.    Just drop the spring liner and the spring into the nose wheel tube, and install the cross tube behind the strut with a cotter key at each end after sliding the cable ends onto it.

We are now adding two additional features:

  • Rather than a continued loop ov cable at the top, two separate and adjustable cables will be used.  The adjustment will be right on the top and easy to get to.  This eliminate any loading of the spring with a bar during installation
  • Also, I spoke with Rodger and he expressed a wish for the rudder to move easier in flight.  We have implemented a system , currently being tested, where the nose wheel has no drag added to the rudder system.  More on that later.  

Jan

Comment by Normand Lambert on October 1, 2014 at 3:42pm

Hello,

How do you install this on a CH701 ? When the nosewheel turns, won't the cable touch the aluminum ?

What are the modifications you have to do to the upper horizontal support ?

Thanks for the infos.

Norm

Ch701sp

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