Tail Draggers!
Gizajob
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: uk
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3
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From: England
Tailwheel conversion
I think someone at Cambridge does them? Not sure.
Otherwise www.nsof.co.uk at Peterborough Sibson.
Otherwise www.nsof.co.uk at Peterborough Sibson.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,200
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From: Norfolk UK
They do a residential 2 day course but I travelled in from home when conditions were good and the aircraft was either booked to me or free.
Lister
PS I've now finished my check rides and can fly the L4 on my own!
Professional Student
Joined: Mar 2005
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 678
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From: My Secret Island Lair
Old Sarum also do taildragger courses on the Supercub....I know it's a bit far from Cambridge but the reason I mention it is because I've booked my conversion there in two weekends time!
Having gotten to the airfield once & only getting as far as taxi practice (due to high crosswinds)
I have to ask - what's it like to fly, or any tips generally?
Thanks
Having gotten to the airfield once & only getting as far as taxi practice (due to high crosswinds)
I have to ask - what's it like to fly, or any tips generally?
Thanks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,981
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From: He's on the limb to nowhere
Hardest part of flying a supercub is moving around on the ground in strong winds so sounds like you have done the tricky bit. It has a ridiculously low demonstrated crosswind, but it has a huge rudder and in practice you can sideslip it down the extended runway centreline in almost any crosswind that you can come up with. It's when you reach the ground the fun begins.
As for flying it, far more fun than a spamcan. I guess the biggest thing you will notice is the roll rate, it is extremely responsive compared to a spam can. You will notice that when you start base-final turns and you end up pointing nowhere near the runway. You can also land it on a sixpence. Once you have worked out how to land the supercub it will help your tricycle landings immensely. Flying the numbers is very important. With the huge rudder it's also very important to coordinate so make sure you can properly roll on a heading (dutch roll type of thing) before you start to do pattern work. IMO.
All in all it's an absolutely superb airplane and real flying (IMO).
As for flying it, far more fun than a spamcan. I guess the biggest thing you will notice is the roll rate, it is extremely responsive compared to a spam can. You will notice that when you start base-final turns and you end up pointing nowhere near the runway. You can also land it on a sixpence. Once you have worked out how to land the supercub it will help your tricycle landings immensely. Flying the numbers is very important. With the huge rudder it's also very important to coordinate so make sure you can properly roll on a heading (dutch roll type of thing) before you start to do pattern work. IMO.
All in all it's an absolutely superb airplane and real flying (IMO).
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 5
From: Under the clag EGKA
Cambridge Flying Group do indeed do conversion training and I can reccommend them highly. They do not overcharge either considering what some others charge for Tigermoth hours. The taxi is interesting as you have to watch for Hercules induced crosswinds on a lumpy grass taxyway. Lovely people Google for them.
Guest
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Old Sarum also do taildragger courses on the Supercub....I know it's a bit far from Cambridge but the reason I mention it is because I've booked my conversion there in two weekends time!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 123
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From: Bedfordshire
Less than an hour away from Cambridge you will find Henlow Flying Club, they have a Tiger Moth and a Chipmunk for Tail-dragger conversions.
Bit of a pain getting on site for the first time, but once that is sorted you'll find a couple of great aircraft to fly and an interesting hangar full of privately owned toys.... Tigers, Leopard Moths, Jackaroo etc...
TBK
Bit of a pain getting on site for the first time, but once that is sorted you'll find a couple of great aircraft to fly and an interesting hangar full of privately owned toys.... Tigers, Leopard Moths, Jackaroo etc...
TBK
Professional Student
Joined: Mar 2005
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 678
Likes: 25
From: My Secret Island Lair
Thanks for the responses; Yeah, the crosswinds made things interesting whilst taxiing...I thought I was doing quite well until I had to turn through more than 45deg...!
Hoping the course will improve my landings. Looking forward to flying something a bit more interesting than the average spamcan. As far as I can tell so far however, the most difficult part of the conversion is getting in the front seat!
Hoping the course will improve my landings. Looking forward to flying something a bit more interesting than the average spamcan. As far as I can tell so far however, the most difficult part of the conversion is getting in the front seat!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 55
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From: Beechy Bucks
Sorry its taken me so long to congratulate you, S205-18F, on joining the ranks of Luton aviators!
Having spent about 100 hours over the past couple of years jammed twix fuselage and wing (only people who've tried to enter a Luton will understand that!), I know how much fun you'll be having!
One piece of pertinant advice though that was drummed into me when I first bought my aeroplane. PLEASE use a picket to tie the tail down when starting, even if you've got the stick tied back. The Luton has a tailwheel weight of only 22 pounds, and its amazing how fast the tail will come up if you've got too many revs.
I escaped the fate, but I've seen two other Minors with cropped propellors in the past two years!
How about a "rookie's tale" for the Luton Minor website www.lutonminor.com ?
PS. I can fully recommend Henlow Flying CLub and CFI Joe Wrights patience in a bouncing Tiger Moth too!
Steve
Having spent about 100 hours over the past couple of years jammed twix fuselage and wing (only people who've tried to enter a Luton will understand that!), I know how much fun you'll be having!
One piece of pertinant advice though that was drummed into me when I first bought my aeroplane. PLEASE use a picket to tie the tail down when starting, even if you've got the stick tied back. The Luton has a tailwheel weight of only 22 pounds, and its amazing how fast the tail will come up if you've got too many revs.
I escaped the fate, but I've seen two other Minors with cropped propellors in the past two years!
How about a "rookie's tale" for the Luton Minor website www.lutonminor.com ?
PS. I can fully recommend Henlow Flying CLub and CFI Joe Wrights patience in a bouncing Tiger Moth too!
Steve
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 165
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From: Cumbernauld
Hi HAL-26 Thanks for the good wishes, I have noted your advice on tying the tail down and I did wonder about it. There are 2 Lutons at Errol my own one G-BBCY and G-ATCJ. I will write a short note about being a Luton newbie and I have visited your site it is most informative. I also appreciate your comment about getting into the Luton then being between the wing and cockpit it is cosy!!!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 55
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From: Beechy Bucks
http://www.lutonminor.com/legover.htm
If you think that's fun, just wait till the throttle goes up your trouser leg as you're half way in!
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 165
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From: Cumbernauld
Hi Folks I am just back from Errol and flying today we had all the taildraggers out .Tom with G-ATCJ Luton minor, G-BBCY Luton minor, G-FOXG a kitfox and a streak shadow. I have photos of the line up but am not sure of how to up load them here. I wish I had read the "how to get into a Luton minor" article before I tried today, it is difficult if you dont have the knack. I will post the pictures soon.
