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Comment by Jan Eggenfellner on October 2, 2014 at 6:48am

"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.

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