Tailwheel books
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Norfolk UK
Tailwheel books
I will be doing a tailwheel conversion after obtaining my PPL and wonder which book is the best to read before starting the course?
I know about Stick and Rudder and believe there are others, but cannot find much on the web.
It is my birthday soon, and this would make a useful and very acceptable present.
Lister
I know about Stick and Rudder and believe there are others, but cannot find much on the web.
It is my birthday soon, and this would make a useful and very acceptable present.
Lister
Last edited by Lister Noble; 11th April 2006 at 12:19.
Joined: May 2002
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From: Melbourne, Australia
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Kent
Purely taildragger: The Compleat Taildragger Pilot
Damn good for any "real" aeroplane: Stick and Rudder
OC619
Damn good for any "real" aeroplane: Stick and Rudder
OC619
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: An island somewhere
A WHOLE book to learn how to convert onto a tail-dragger? Talk about overkill! 
Instead, try "Tail-wheels without tears", an article by Brian Lecomber in Pilot Magazine, April 1976. Contains ALL you need to know for your initial tail-wheel conversion onto any of the popular types, and written authoritatively in the author's wonderfully readable, inimitable style.
Available for about £5, I believe, as a photocopy of the original from Pilot Magazine's office. Celebrate, and buy yourself a decent bottle of wine with the saving you've made by not acquiring a book!
If they can't supply, PM me with your postal address and I'll mail you a copy.
Instead, try "Tail-wheels without tears", an article by Brian Lecomber in Pilot Magazine, April 1976. Contains ALL you need to know for your initial tail-wheel conversion onto any of the popular types, and written authoritatively in the author's wonderfully readable, inimitable style.
Available for about £5, I believe, as a photocopy of the original from Pilot Magazine's office. Celebrate, and buy yourself a decent bottle of wine with the saving you've made by not acquiring a book!
If they can't supply, PM me with your postal address and I'll mail you a copy.
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: An island somewhere
Okay, here's a suggestion to save you even more money. My, I'm in a philanthropic mood today!
Look at http://www.avweb.com/news/columns/182708-1.html and find Rick Durden's three tail-wheel articles written in 2002: "Why not fly tailwheel", "Tailwheels, Part II: The Checkout" and "Tailwheels, Part III: Full Stall or Wheel Landing?".
All you need to know ... and free (save for a little bandwidth)!
Look at http://www.avweb.com/news/columns/182708-1.html and find Rick Durden's three tail-wheel articles written in 2002: "Why not fly tailwheel", "Tailwheels, Part II: The Checkout" and "Tailwheels, Part III: Full Stall or Wheel Landing?".
All you need to know ... and free (save for a little bandwidth)!
High Flying Bird
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From: Old Sarum ish
Someone (I think it was it that infamous Purple Pitts Pilot) gave me a little leaflet when I started tailwheeling. It is called 'Flying tailwheels, a few notes...' and is written by Jim Alderton. I found it was excellent, and a much easier read than The Compleat Taildragger Pilot (of which I also have a copy). I have a feeling he got it from Clacton, but I couldn't be sure. Perhaps he'll read this and let me know. 
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From: Hellfire Corner
Whilst agreeing with everyone (Hi Slip!) I shall add Conventional Gear, Flying a Taildragger, by David Robson, because it's good to get birthday (or un-birthday) books. This one also has notes on some specific aeroplanes.
That said, there's not that much in any of the books that can't be condensed into a shorter article, as stated. There's no substiture for just Doing It.
That said, there's not that much in any of the books that can't be condensed into a shorter article, as stated. There's no substiture for just Doing It.
Joined: May 2002
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From: Melbourne, Australia
Originally Posted by ChampChump
I shall add Conventional Gear, Flying a Taildragger, by David Robson, because it's good to get birthday (or un-birthday) books. This one also has notes on some specific aeroplanes.
I agree, you don't need the book but it is good reading. Some other online notes by
Rich Stowell and at the http://www.taildraggers.com/
