Hi everybody
I'd like some advice from the experienced tailwheelers out there. I have about 150 hours TT, mainly on the ubiquitous PA28s and C152/172, but have recently jumped into the PFA world with and learned to fly a tailwheel aeroplane. I have about 25 hours tailwheel now (Jodel), 18 solo, but still struggle with crosswinds, even fairly light.
Saturday is a perfect example. Landing on a grass runway, wind was from the right, about 12kts 40 or 50 degrees off the runway. Touchdown itself was fine (wing-down into a three-pointer) and the rollout was straight. As the speed dropped down to about 20kts (so 5-10 seconds after landing, no brakes were used) the aeroplane suddenly started to weathercock into wind, left rudder didn't do anything (too slow to have much rudder authority?) and it took an unpleasant burst of left brake to keep the aeroplane from leaving the runway and hitting a markerboard.
It's not the first time this has happened, and I'm wondering what i'm doing wrong. I'm three-pointering, always; I was taught wheel landings but never like them on grass because a badly-timed bump can ruin even a perfect wheeler. I don't think that's the problem though, rollouts are fine so it's not a lack of rudder at speed. It's the slowing down at the end that catches me out. What am I doing wrong, or is it always like this? I really don't like using brakes, i'm worried about tipping onto the nose.
And finaally, a bit off topic, but I was told that there were two types of tailwheel pilots. Those who have groundlooped, and those yet to groundloop. Is this true, or bar-room banter to scare the new boy?!? I don't think i've come really close yet, plenty of swerves on landing when I was starting but nothing too bad and it's just this bit at almost walking pace now. Does seem like the aeroplane could swap ends at 15kts though. Can I damage the aeroplane at those speeds, or is it just ugly? I've heard that the Jodel wheels aren't very strong in a groundloop?
Love the aeroplane in the air. Don't love crosswinds.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Will (122.45)