Easiest tailwheel type
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 395
Likes: 63
From: UK
Are we talking bouncing or ground looping?
Pawnee is one of the easiest tailwheel types for either in my view. Hard to get them to bounce or ground loop. I'd suggest that the monowheel version of the Europa is one of the more challenging ground loop types. The Cub/Super Cub also is easy to ground loop, as is the Stampe. Tiger Moths less so, because of the tailskid drag.
The Champ is a delight to land - hard to get a bounce from that excellent undercarriage, wheeras a clumsy landing in a Cub can bounce. So far I haven't ground looped a Champ, even in stiffish crosswinds, though I suspect it will be a easy to do as in a Cub.
A Pitts is a nightmare for potentialground looping, I thought. Though that feeling of being in a slightly out-of-control shopping trolley once you are in the ground roll keeps most folk on their toes (almost literally) !
Austers must be amongst the best bouncers in the business thanks to their bungees, though with such a heavy tail that ground looping is rarer.
Most motor gliders seemhard to ground loop and few will bounce much, though prop ground clearance can be an issue in a bad arrival.
Pawnee is one of the easiest tailwheel types for either in my view. Hard to get them to bounce or ground loop. I'd suggest that the monowheel version of the Europa is one of the more challenging ground loop types. The Cub/Super Cub also is easy to ground loop, as is the Stampe. Tiger Moths less so, because of the tailskid drag.
The Champ is a delight to land - hard to get a bounce from that excellent undercarriage, wheeras a clumsy landing in a Cub can bounce. So far I haven't ground looped a Champ, even in stiffish crosswinds, though I suspect it will be a easy to do as in a Cub.
A Pitts is a nightmare for potentialground looping, I thought. Though that feeling of being in a slightly out-of-control shopping trolley once you are in the ground roll keeps most folk on their toes (almost literally) !
Austers must be amongst the best bouncers in the business thanks to their bungees, though with such a heavy tail that ground looping is rarer.
Most motor gliders seemhard to ground loop and few will bounce much, though prop ground clearance can be an issue in a bad arrival.
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 479
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From: USA
Spring gears such as C-120/40’s are embarrassing on concrete without care, easy on turf. Bungees are the bomb. It’s idiomatic that essentially every non military pilot from its inception until they invented the tri-pacer learned to fly in a cub on this side of the pond.
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Joined: Feb 2000
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From: UK
I never saw the takeoff PIO tendency in the 11BC but the bigger engine didn't make it want to swap ends any less frequently. I always wondered if ours was bent or incorrectly rigged but never found anything wrong with it. Nice to hear from someone with a similar opinion of the type.
G
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Ontario, Canada
The Basler is okay, but sort of slow motion as a taildragger. It takes longer to get yourself into trouble [than a light GA type], and even longer yet to get yourself out. Lots of rudder effect, a locking tailwheel and power you can split if you have to, I'm not sure it's a core example of a taildragger in terms of "fun" or "easy". But it is satisfying to wheel land gently, and hold the tail off, just because you can!
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Joined: Feb 2000
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From: UK
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 98
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From: Manchester
BT in this case I’m sure means the Vultee BT13 or Vibrator on the other hand the it was said if you could fly the T6 you wouldn’t have any trouble with anything thereafter.
I was told that there are 2 sorts of L19 pilots those who have ground looped and those who are going to.
I agree with the comments on the Pawnee the easiest taildragger I have ever flown.
I was told that there are 2 sorts of L19 pilots those who have ground looped and those who are going to.
I agree with the comments on the Pawnee the easiest taildragger I have ever flown.
Joined: Jun 2002
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 7,177
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From: Nanaimo (CAC8)
After 100 hours and 600 glider tows, I'll vote for the Pawnee. Once you get used to the strange attitude over the nose, on the ground, it's easy to fly. However it is not easy to land consistently but is very forgiving and strong - it's an agricultural implement!
Citabrias/Scouts and Super Cubs are relatively easy but they teach you not to relax on the ground. I found the Stearman fairly docile but I did not fly it in any appreciable cross wind.
The Chipmunk was much more demanding but I never ground looped one. I did not like the Auster with heel brakes.
I've not landed one yet, but I've been a passenger in a Christen Eagle II. I would say that is very demanding on the ground,
Citabrias/Scouts and Super Cubs are relatively easy but they teach you not to relax on the ground. I found the Stearman fairly docile but I did not fly it in any appreciable cross wind.
The Chipmunk was much more demanding but I never ground looped one. I did not like the Auster with heel brakes.
I've not landed one yet, but I've been a passenger in a Christen Eagle II. I would say that is very demanding on the ground,
