EFWD Build

[jiott]

I did my wheel alignment with the plane in level flight attitude. My reasoning was: the most critical time when squirrliness and ground looping is during fairly hi speed tail-up takeoff roll and landing rollout after wheel landing which tend to be at higher speed than 3-pointers. My gear was dead nuts at neutral with no shims in level attitude and I just left it that way. I do most of my landings 3-point and it seems to behave well in that attitude also. This is just my thinking, but I also see the logic in John's post.

[PapuaPilot]

I had the same results as "jiott" and didn't feel the need to make any adjustments. I don't have any problems with wheel or 3 point landings.

Using grease plates is a good idea.

Another thing to consider is loading the plane to a "normal" flight weight. The landing gear will be spread more and change the caster/camber. The minimum weight would be with the pilot, some amount of fuel (3/4 to full).

[efwd]

Thanks guys. After Jims reply I started thinking of all the variables at play here. Since everyone seems to agree that there are many variables, I think I'll give John M a call to see how they do it. I don't want to be purchasing more of these shims than needed. More importantly, I don't feel like ground looping.
Eddie

[aviator79]

Always good to hear straight from the horse's mouth. Will you post what you find out here?

[efwd]

Okay, spoke with John M today. The factory corrects toe in/out while the aircraft is in level flight position. I was advised that I could do it in a three point attitude no problem. His opinion is that the change in attitude won't change the math that much. He advised, as we have heard here already, to make sure there is a smidge of toe out if not directly straight ahead. Avoid Toe in.
Eddie

[efwd]

Well, Im waiting for my wire harnesses. Here is an update. I turned in all my data three and a half weeks ago. At that time I was informed that it would take two weeks to complete. Three weeks later I was provided about half the harnesses that I ordered. Tomorrow is the end of the fourth week and Im told they will not have the job done but can expect some addtl harnesses by the end of the fifth week. So, that will bring us right up to the date they will be fixing to leave for Oshkosh. Not sure who from the Avionics department may be going but I bet that this is the next explanation for why I'm not getting my stuff. Im not sure how this avionic shop continues to operate?
Eddie.

[aviator79]

That's frustrating Eddie. Hopefully the trickle of harnesses you're getting is enough to keep you moving forward.