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Old 24th February 2009 | 06:11
  #13 (permalink)  
aseanaero
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 781
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From: The 'Bat Cave' @ HLP in the Big Durian Indo
I did my initial taildragger in a Pitts S2A , I was out doing solo crosswind circuits (I prefer wheeler for crosswinds) at a fairly busy GA airport and the wind started to change direction and I ended up landing with a quartering tailwind with gusts for my last landing just before they changed the active runway.

Landing was ok and I was doing a full stop landing but slowing down through about 25 knots the Pitts wanted to do a 90 degree left turn as a gust of wind caught the tail. I caught the swing but my right leg was still shaking when I was on the taxiway

So althevet if you ever get a quartering tailwind don't even try it in a taildragger , find another runway (I learnt my lesson)

If you want some 'real flying' find a taildragger with an open cockpit , I loved it. I tried Pitts, Stearman and Stampe, never got to the Tiger Moth.

Get a decent set of headsets or helmet, my first flight in the Pitts was in a cloth helmet with bakelite speakers and my ears were ringing for hours afterwards.

For the Pitts S2A the wheeler seemed the better technique , I also flew a Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter (great plane) and that aircraft was happier with a 3 point landing in crosswinds so it depends on the aircraft in my opinion.

Nothing like flying around in an open cockpit in the calm air before sunset , the stuff daydreams are made of !
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