Tailspring to Lower Rudder Fairing Clearence RV9

[cajunwings]

Should be minimal flex of the spring where it exits the socket, but the clearance is less than 1/4”. Should I recontour the fairing to gain a little more room in case of a firm landing. What say ye who have gone before?

Don Broussard
RV9 Rebuild in Progress
57 Pacer

 

[Desert Rat]

Lots of people have carved and reglassed a flat spot on the lower fairing to gain more clearance here. I decided to go a different route and did pretty much what it looks like you've done, which is to trim that faring so that it sits as high as possible. It seems to me that all the flex is taking place aft of that area where the distance obviously increases pretty dramatically.

I have 1/4" clearance there and mine has never rubbed anything, even with some of my less than stellar landings.

 

[D-Dubya]

I was one of those that carved and reglassed a flat spot on the fairing. Can't find a good picture of it right now, but I'd be surprised if there's more than 1/4" of clearance right where it comes out of the socket on my RV-7 (same fuselage and rudder). If that moves more than 1/4" on a landing, then you've probably bent something.

 

[dgarrelt63303]

I have a little over 1/4 inch clearance there and never had any contact that I can tell between the two. I currently don't have access to my Vans account info and don't remember what the drawing said for clearance there but I think it had a note to provide clearance as DW performed on his 7.

Side note, My dad had a 57 Tri-Pacer we converted back to a Pacer when we recovered it in the early 1980's. STCd it with O-360 180HP. One of the best airplanes to learn tail wheel. Made you honest on rudder control from the time you started to taxi until you stopped and got out. Made transition to the 9 was a breeze once you got use to the stick sensitivity of the RV.