Taildragger course

[BroomstickPilot]

Mileage?

Hi Dubbleyew eight,

words fail me. your mileage indeed varies.

'Sorry Dubbs; I don't get your drift.

BP.

[shortstripper]

He lost me too???

[Pilot DAR]

I don't get your drift

Good, you're not supposed to drift when landing the taildragger!

[maxred]

the Pitts is not suitable as a training aircraft for tailwheel endorsements.
too much vision impairment for safe training.

+1

Cub or a Chipmunk, and you cannot go wrong. PM me if you require any additional info.

[Silvaire1]

the Pitts is not suitable as a training aircraft for tailwheel endorsements.
too much vision impairment for safe training.

Most of my relatively limited experience is in tailwheel aircraft, but ones with good forward visibility, and I'll second (third?) that! Its a lot easier when you can see where you're going.

An instructor friend of mine just bought a Citabria and other than getting checked out in a new type, I'm using it as an opportunity to learn the aircraft from the back seat too, with him in front. The first landing from the back was 'interesting' - I dropped it in from a foot or more I'm doing this for the price of fuel only, so in future I'm hoping to be kinder to my friend's plane. The same guy has a Pitts too, so you can imagine where I'm interested in going...

[FlyingKiwi_73]

So having just completed a "conventional gear" rating, i can tell you a felt like a child learning to walk all over again...(i mean even just how to taxi!!) if the wind is anything more than a soft zephyr and straight down the runway i'm still sweating bullets landing the cub. I really cannot understand anybody who can just get in a tail dragger with no instruction and go with out a prang.

I came very close to having the cub swap ends on me and that's with an appropriate adult on board.

I have to say it has improved my tricycle landings immeasurably

[tecman]

I think Max has it about right. Cub or Chippy are nicely behaved aircraft that will still teach you a lot about flying. I did my initial tailwheel endorsement on a Decathlon, which is a delightful aircraft but really too easy to be truly representative of the class. I found this out when I went to an Auster! I am in awe of W8 and the dyed-in the-wool Auster guys. While being able to turn in OK performances in a Tiger Moth or C180, I still harbour ambitions of being able to master the J1 to my satisfaction before my dotage.

[Piper.Classique]

I have to say it has improved my tricycle landings immeasurably

It does, doesn't it?

If you have been properly taught on nosewheel aircraft you will find the transition easier, but even so I will third all who say find a good instructor who will teach you all the techniques, not just the three point landing. You will actiually find landing on grass a lot easier than on tarmac. The easiest taildragger of all, in my opinion, is the piper pawnee. Good view, and a wide track undercarriage of great strength Not surprising considering its intended use.

Welcome to the world of real aeroplanes! Mostly uncomfortable, draughty, and let the rain in. A bit like insisting on driving an MGB which can be outperformed by practically any recent small car, which will also drink only half the petrol.

Except you will have more fun, and please allow me to say that it is supposed to be fun! Otherwise why would we do it?

[RobertL]

I was a bit surprised that some schools do not teach 'wheeler' landings, this is presumably on the premise that a three pointer is at a slower speed and is therefore safer? How then do you deal with gusty conditions? Presumably, the differences training is for no wind/no gusts conditions.

TailwheelersJournal.com is a friendly site. I would also add Taildragger Tactics (Sparky Imeson) as a good complement to The Compleat Taildragger Pilot.

[The500man]

the Pitts is not suitable as a training aircraft for tailwheel endorsements.

I did mine on the Pitts and I know others that have too. One thing I would say though is that the Pitts isn't really suitable for standard tailwheel training because it is a non-standard technique type. I wouldn't advise anyone to do tailwheel training on it unless it is the aircraft you want to fly/own.

I wasn't taught wheeler landings because it is tougher to get right than three-pointing in the Pitts. The CAA flight manual supplement recommends three-pointing as well.

[Ridger]

Definitely get proper training - did my differences training with a great instructor on the Chipmunk. Don't stop peddling 'till the brakes are on and engine is switched off!! The moment you think you're straight and can relax, you'll be facing the way you came... Not many people have prop driven nosewheel types on their bucket list and with good reason - enjoy!