Got my first "stick" time in a taildragger this weekend - my friend Stu (RV-6 and C-140 owner and CFI) and I went flying for 1.7 hours of dual in his Cessna 140. What a fun little airplane!
The wind was 8-14 kts about 45 deg to the runway, so it was an interesting day for my first tailwheel experience. All in all, it wasn't as bad as I had thought - some of the stuff you read makes this sound like a nightmare. You have to stay on your toes, but the airplane is not as "inherently unstable" as some would lead you to believe.
That's not to say, however, that there wasn't some serious weaving down the runway going on! I think I've got the taxiing / ground handling down (sure is fun to spin the thing around in one spot!) and did OK on most takeoffs; landings were a little more challenging. We did all 3 pointers. I have to say, Stu is a really talented pilot and I'm sure I'll feel good about tailwheel flying before he signs me off.
One of the things he does with TW students before signing off is to go to a local airport with a wide runway and do high speed runs down the runway "changing lanes" - i.e left - right - center (and so on) to demonstrate good directional control.
All it cost was 2 cans of mogas (with today's prices that was 30$)...
I tried to upload a picture of the plane but was unsuccessful ...
Thomas
Tailwheel time!
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captain_john
- Sparky
- Posts: 5880
- Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:17 am
- Location: KPYM
Thomas,
Cool! You are gonna LOVE IT! I really like the lane changing maneuver! I never heard of such a thing, but... ummm gonna try it next time I go flying!
The whole turning within your own diameter thing is cool, huh? Kinda like driving a forktruck!
Email me the pic and I will upload it for ya!
Keep us informed as to your progress. Love the war stories!
CJ
Cool! You are gonna LOVE IT! I really like the lane changing maneuver! I never heard of such a thing, but... ummm gonna try it next time I go flying!
The whole turning within your own diameter thing is cool, huh? Kinda like driving a forktruck!
Email me the pic and I will upload it for ya!
Keep us informed as to your progress. Love the war stories!
CJRV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!
