The Cessna 120-140 Association Forum

I have a 120 and the TCDC says the 3-24b is standard for those aircraft. I’m trying to figure out since the tcds has a list of other tailwheels, are those approved as well? For example it lists in SPECIFICATIONS PERTINENT TO ALL MODELS under 202 (tailwheels and tires) In tcdc and the list of six tailwheels. Are any of these approved if I want to change tailwheels?

If it's listed on the TCDS then it's approved. Installation of any of them is a minor modification and can be done with a log book entry. Back in the '40s, instead of issuing an STC, mods like this were simply added to the TCDS. Note that items 202.(c), (d) and (e) have an asterisk next to them. This indicates that approval was obtained by other than Cessna.

My understanding is that Alaskan Bushwheels has a PMA approved replacement for the Scott 3200, which can also be installed without further approval. The Scott 3-24B is superceded by the Scott 2000. The Decker/Lang tailwheel is now manufactured by ACS.

Univair has a good write-up on the evolution of Scott tailwheels here

I recently changed my original wheel for a baby bush wheel. It's big but it has made a huge difference. That said, if you fly from asphalt I wouldn't do it because the proportions are odd. My flying is 90% grass and field so it was worth it.

YMMV
Charley

Thanks for the help guys! That clears things up with the TCDS.