Tailwheels and their associated linkage should be carefully preflighted. Here’s a partially broken tailwheel chain link that has the potential to cause a complete loss of ground control when it totally fails.
![[Credit: Wikimedia Commons]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/4_rutan_a_longez.jpg_preview.jpg?w=218&h=150&crop=1 "Rutan Symposium Turns to the Coming Canard Maintenance Crisis")
![[Credit: Lisa Turner]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Fuel-Selector.jpg?w=218&h=150&crop=1 "Fuel Follies")
In Case You Missed It
Channel Challenger
Dick Starks and the Dawn Patrol get a front-row seat to the Bleriot XI replica’s very successful first flight. Next comes flying off the 40 in preparation for its English Channel flight.
Wind Tunnel
When unexpected drag is an issue, the cause could be gaps in the skin of your airplane. A simple seal might solve the problem.
