Small wheel controversy!
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Blighty
Small wheel controversy!
I fly at a club which has a very friendly and convivial atmosphere. in fact, it's about the best club I have ever flow with. However, there is one problem, as I seem to frequently create controversy with an opinion I hold. The club has about ten aircraft (not exactly sure how many), of which I have only flown one. This is because it has the small wheel at the end of the aircraft where God intended it to be. At the tail! I refuse to pay to fly any aircraft which is otherwise configured.
In addition, it has a stick and a throttle on the left hand side (also as God intended), with inverted oil and fuel systems - so can be flown upside down (maybe not exactly God's wish - but it's a lot of fun!). On the club's fb page and at social events, I have frequently stated my (correct) opinion on the matter, and it seems to provoke some ire. it seems that there are many pilots out there who don't wish to participate in real flying, and the poor thing remains underutilised and shunned by the rank and file of recreational pilots.
Am I alone in my (correct) opinion?
In addition, it has a stick and a throttle on the left hand side (also as God intended), with inverted oil and fuel systems - so can be flown upside down (maybe not exactly God's wish - but it's a lot of fun!). On the club's fb page and at social events, I have frequently stated my (correct) opinion on the matter, and it seems to provoke some ire. it seems that there are many pilots out there who don't wish to participate in real flying, and the poor thing remains underutilised and shunned by the rank and file of recreational pilots.
Am I alone in my (correct) opinion?
Last edited by Dan Winterland; 13th August 2016 at 04:32. Reason: Spliing!
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: In front of a computer
No - in a former life I instructed at a club that operated,from time to time, a Chipmunk, then an L4 Grasshopper and the a Citabria 7GcBc. I really look forward to checking the members on these but business was always slow - most preferring the C150/172 flying.
I ended up using them myself on quiet days...
I ended up using them myself on quiet days...
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: The World
I don't see the controversy. If you are of the opinion that "a God" created flying wonders to have their wheel at the tail, just do that. Don't bother that you may have a yoke or stick in your back and you may have trouble looking at the direction of your tail wheel, but a huge windows backwards behind which an engine blows the spirit of God. Just be careful to choose reverse gear for the aircraft with a bigger wheel in the back and the huge windows behind you and let God decide which is better.
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Iraq and other places
I can't really understand people who think that the arrangement of wheels on their airplane is some kind of a big deal. Fly your damn airplane and let everyone else fly their damn airplane. Nobody else cares about your opinion, and there's no reason you should care about theirs!
I fly whatever I feel like flying, no matter where the wheels are. Seems dumb to limit myself.
I fly whatever I feel like flying, no matter where the wheels are. Seems dumb to limit myself.
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Oop North, UK
Can you clarify which God - there are so many to choose from, so we should be clear before we start argu... discussing.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flyi...ghetti_Monster
Joined: May 2010
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From: UK
You are in a minority of one.
Many pilots like to see where they are going on the ground and like a bit of directional stability when landing in a crosswind. OTOH they miss out on getting into some rough old short strips but life is a compromise so wibble flip........
Many pilots like to see where they are going on the ground and like a bit of directional stability when landing in a crosswind. OTOH they miss out on getting into some rough old short strips but life is a compromise so wibble flip........
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Joined: Feb 2000
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From: UK
You are wrong Dan, because all flying is good - after that it's a matter of detail.
The two most fun aeroplanes in my logbook - a BAe Hawk and Scottish Aviation Bulldog both had a training wheel at the front.
Close behind, the Chipmunk and Stinson Voyager both have a tailwheel.
The most boring aeroplane I've ever flown: the C172 has a training wheel, but the scarcely difference C170 doesn't.
All flexwing microlights have a nosewheel, and I defy you to find anything much more fun than throwing a big engined well designed flexwing around for half an hour.
G
The two most fun aeroplanes in my logbook - a BAe Hawk and Scottish Aviation Bulldog both had a training wheel at the front.
Close behind, the Chipmunk and Stinson Voyager both have a tailwheel.
The most boring aeroplane I've ever flown: the C172 has a training wheel, but the scarcely difference C170 doesn't.
All flexwing microlights have a nosewheel, and I defy you to find anything much more fun than throwing a big engined well designed flexwing around for half an hour.
G
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: The Wild West (UK)
If one-upmanship is the name of the game, I think my aircraft was nicer with a skid at the back. A necessity on concrete though.
Seriously, it doesn't really matter. And there's a lot to be said for not having an aircraft that's itching to bite you if you put a foot wrong. I like the aerodynamic and weight benefits of doing without the nosewheel but it's just a design tradeoff against more challenging handling on the ground. People would still fly Pittses if they were made easy to land.
Seriously, it doesn't really matter. And there's a lot to be said for not having an aircraft that's itching to bite you if you put a foot wrong. I like the aerodynamic and weight benefits of doing without the nosewheel but it's just a design tradeoff against more challenging handling on the ground. People would still fly Pittses if they were made easy to land.
Last edited by abgd; 12th August 2016 at 00:55.
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Scotland
DW, your club has a friendly an convivial atmosphere.
If you continue to stuff your tailwheel down everyone's throat, that atmosphere may change.
Be thankful for the current atmosphere.
Ask yourself (if you know the answer) how many of your associates CAN fly the tailwheel but choose not to.
I fly a tailwheel, most of my club fly tailwheels, those that don't are not pilloried for it.
If you removed every nosewheel aircraft you would have a lot less chance of flying anything at all.
In a nutshell, Get o'er yerself!
If you continue to stuff your tailwheel down everyone's throat, that atmosphere may change.
Be thankful for the current atmosphere.
Ask yourself (if you know the answer) how many of your associates CAN fly the tailwheel but choose not to.
I fly a tailwheel, most of my club fly tailwheels, those that don't are not pilloried for it.
If you removed every nosewheel aircraft you would have a lot less chance of flying anything at all.
In a nutshell, Get o'er yerself!
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Oop North, UK
You are in a minority of one.
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Vienna
Unable to identify the OP's point of this "controversy" post, apart from telling the audience about his special aireligious beliefs. IMHO Katamarino is spot on.
And with a big SCNR up front and showing myself the red card for not playing the ball: some passages from the initial statement suggest that tailwheel aircraft are indeed the safer choice here, because if the pilot's seat were even slightly behind the main gear in a trike, the weight of the ego might tip it on the tail.
And with a big SCNR up front and showing myself the red card for not playing the ball: some passages from the initial statement suggest that tailwheel aircraft are indeed the safer choice here, because if the pilot's seat were even slightly behind the main gear in a trike, the weight of the ego might tip it on the tail.
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Cambridge, England, EU
Ah, well, you see, there are those of us who have worked out that if we want to buy weird sick-making G forces [which I personally don't, but some clearly do] it's vastly cheaper to do so at the fairground than by flying aerobatic aircraft.
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From: Scotland
Originally Posted by :Gengis the Engineer
All flexwing microlights have a nosewheel, and I defy you to find anything much more fun than throwing a big engined well designed flexwing around for half an hour.
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Northants
You are in a minority of one.
Dan - Whilst I don't recall such an unequivocal opinion when you flew the Z242L, I am 100% with you regarding the proper configuration of aeroplanes. Some of us grew out of tricycles when we were 3 years old.
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Canada
If pilots are getting flying, the location of the third wheel is of secondary importance. I have a plane of each type, and enjoy the pleasures of each. That said I do my darnedest to keep the third wheel off the surface as much as possible.
Once you're away from hard surface, taildragger is going to make itself more likeable. Once you go on skis, tailwheel is the only way to go.
Once you're away from hard surface, taildragger is going to make itself more likeable. Once you go on skis, tailwheel is the only way to go.