Tailwheel currency fun

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 6:50 pm

Have you ever launched, flown, landed and taxied the Citabria (or something like it) from the back seat with virtually no visibility, instruments or other cues?

Today I did just that! Machine Man met me at KPYM today and we thawed the Citabria and took it for a boot. We both learned a lot about flying today. I never had a chance to control every phase of flight before today. It is really different sitting in the back of the plane and not being able to see out of the windscreen. The only instrument I had was airspeed. I could see it just to the left of Rich's shoulder. I also had brakes, power, carb heat and a microphone. With all this stuff I was able to operate the plane around the patch totally independently! Now I know what it is like to fly an old school tailwheel with no forward vis!

I bet we did 12 takeoff and landings each. Rich would do one or two and then I would do the same. It is interesting to learn something new and a challenge to do it well!

Rich did one of the best landings EVER! He worked on the transition to flare and some essential airmanship.

It was a good day of learning and the Citabria is a good teacher!

CJ

Post by **Spike** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 5:15 pm

Sounds like good fun. Winds here today are gusting over 35 knots. Maybe you should have come down here for a bit 'O fun.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:21 pm

Done 30 before. 35 would be a challenge for sure!

The wind is really snortin' here!

The morning was nice, tho...

Kevin J. and I went across the street from the airport to the gun club for an hour and shot some trap! 100 rounds in one hour. That was literally a blast!

This summer we are going to have a fly in and commute across the street for a trap shoot!

Tim D. is flying up from New York for it! Who else is interested in trap shooting? It is open to the public and only $5 per round plus shells. You can use my shotgun of you don't have one.

Who's interested?!?

CJ

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:31 pm

I'd be up for that if I had this plane done. Be the farthest I ever went ot shoot trap but would be a good excuse. Maybe summer 2010.

Several years ago I shot a lot of sporting clays but it's been a while. The rust would probably show.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:35 pm

Oh yah, talk about rusty! It has been 10 years since I had fired that weapon!

I did break target 100 though! A good way to finish the day!

Get that plane done!!!

CJ

MachineMan · Post by **MachineMan** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:27 pm

RV Fly-in / Trapshoot... sounds great.
Next we mount the guns and head for the target ship !

CJ did some fancy fly'in from the back seat...
flew the length of the runway while touching the wheels... he had no idea how much runway was left... had to ask!

"look'in good Todd !!"

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:49 pm

Rich, you and I think along the same lines! I asked the gun club guys if we could shot from the planes/helicopters! They didn't care!

That was a great day of flying! We need to do it again sometime!

Your next to last landing was a GREASER! I didn't even know we had landed!

Feelin' good Louis!

CJ

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:56 pm

Rich, I found the clip!

It is from Trading Places.

http://www.killerclips.com/clip.php?id=43&qid=251

Looking good Billy Ray!

Feelin' good Louis!

CJ

aparchment · Post by **aparchment** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 10:30 pm

Count me in John. Sounds like fun.

clreding · Post by **clreding** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 10:45 pm

Marylynn and I am in!!

Marylynn used to be awesome with a shotgun but we gave them up when the kids came along. Now that the kids are out of the house maybe fun to try it again J

Craig

From: RB Lists - Flight Tales [mailto:support@rivetbangers.com]
Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 8:22 PM
To: flight@rivetbangers.com
Subject: Tailwheel currency fun

Done 30 before. 35 would be a challenge for sure!

The wind is really snortin' here!

The morning was nice, tho...

Kevin J. and I went across the street from the airport to the gun club for an hour and shot some trap! 100 rounds in one hour. That was literally a blast!

This summer we are going to have a fly in and commute across the street for a trap shoot!

Tim D. is flying up from New York for it! Who else is interested in trap shooting? It is open to the public and only $5 per round plus shells. You can use my shotgun of you don't have one.

Who's interested?!?

CJ

N357JS Registered!
RV-7 Fuselage
Everyday there's an airshow at Hangar #5!

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captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 7:27 am

Sounds great guys!

I will organize something this spring! If I forget, bring this thread back up TTT to trigger my memory!

I think I have at least a couple of loaner guns, so no need to bring one!

If you are bringing one, 12 ga. is best and nothing more than a modified choke is suggested.

CJ

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