Recommended reading...?

[BeauMan]

Hi all,

Just gone and booked my tailwheel course (YIPPEE!! Proper aeroplanes!), so now I'm looking for some suggestions on some reading material I can stick my head into in preparation. And of course, if anyone has any anecdotes / hints / tips / advice, I'd love to hear 'em!

Thanks in advance....

BeauMan

[MLS-12D]

There are several books (http://shop.pilotwarehouse.co.uk/category46023.html) dedicated to flying tailwheel airplanes, but personally I see little point in swotting up. Tailwheel flying (takeoffs and landings, really; the rest of the flying is the same as for tricycle airplanes) is not the mysterious black science that some people believe. My advice is not to worry about doing a lot of theoretical study, as personal instruction and hands-on appplication are really far more important.

If you absolutely must read something, review chapters 8 and 16 in Langewieche's Stick and Rudder. Barry Schiff's The Proficient Pilot and Richard Taylor's Fair-Weather Flying also have short chapters on tailwheel technique. On the Internet, see here (http://www.mountainflying.com/taildragger_info.htm) and here (http://www.avweb.com/news/columns/182654-1.html).

Have fun! What sort of airplane will you be learning on?

[Monocock]

Hi Beauman and welcome to the world of REAL flying.

I'm sure that there are others far more experienced than myself who will give you some excellent advice on tailwheel flying.

The Langweische book is a good one and was very helpful when I was converting.

Also, there was a thread on this forum recently that had some top tips for x-wind landings etc with tailwheel a/c and I seem to remember it had some particularly experienced advice.

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=133110&highlight=tail+wheel

Good luck and happy landings!

[QNH 1013]

Well, I have a different opinion. I think that reading up tailwheel basics is a very good idea, and in my opinion there is a lot more to learn about tailwheel operation than take-off and landing. In particular, taxying can be the most difficult part of the day (depending on type) particularly with the recent weather!

Books I recommend are: "The Compleat Taildragger Pilot" (sic) by Harvey S Plourde, and "Taming the Taildragger" by John Ball.

However, far more important than any book is getting the right instructor to teach you, and afterwards to keep learning and improving your skills.

[TonyR]

Yes it's good to read up on tailwheel flying, but there is a lot of crap out there, mostly in mag articles.

Get you feet into good working order, wear soft shoes that you can feel the pedals with and the rest is just a bit of practice, using the correct AIRSPEED.

It can't be difficult, look at those who do it.

Have fun

Tony

[FNG]

"Three Points" by David Robson.

[MLS-12D]

Well, yes QNH, taxiing is also different; especially if one is operating a type with reduced (i.e., no) forward visibility, or experiencing heel brakes for the first time. My comment was specific to "flying"; but I take your point that little flying can be done without taxiing before or after! ;)

Beauman, here's another link (http://www.airbum.com/articles/ArticleTailwheelTraining.html) for you; and see also here (http://www.davebarnhart.com/rv6/Flying/Tailwheel/Tailwheel.htm) and here (http://www.taildraggers.com/Documentation.aspx).

[Floppy Link]

...and when you're getting all tense trying to land the thing, wiggle your toes (inside those soft shoes)!
It works on tiny tailwheel aircraft, big Boeings and helicopters. Trust me! :E