Originally Posted by
Chris Martyr
Sam,,,,,,,,,Really.
Very rarely that I disagree with Sam . My own personal opinion is stay away from them brakes. Unless that hedge at the end is getting really , REALLY big.
Golly , I hope none of those Tiger Moth chappies are reading this..
In general, I agree but I can apply lots of brake on my Kitfox (though rarely needed) before the tail will rise (with stick held hard back).
I suspect that this is true of many tail heavy taildraggers but, of course, they are more likely to ground loop so make sure the brakes are balanced!
Incidentally, although there is still some mystique attached to taildragging, if you get some instruction and then practice a bit, preferably on grass, it is not that difficult. And you can read all the theory you want but in the end you just do what the aeroplane needs at the time (touch wood).
PS I favour the wing down approach/landing too although often crab until a couple of hundred feet above the ground.