I suspect this has been posted before but it got me laughing and with everything going on these days we all need a chuckle or two.
How To Groundloop Your Taildragger
Judging by how frequently it is performed, the Groundloop is indeed a popular maneuver. The Groundloop is an extreme low-level figure that is highly acrobatic in nature, which may be executed in many exciting variations. It is customarily performed as the last figure in a sequence, but I have seen the Groundloop attempted as a preliminary or warm-up maneuver.
It is rarely scored however, because it is most often performed out of the Judges' line-of-sight. Also, the Groundloop is categorized as a surprise maneuver, and therefore nobody is really prepared when it is executed. In fact, the figure is not considered genuine unless Judges, spectators and the pilot-in-command are all surprised! The many interesting and dynamic variations do not have a Degree of Difficulty or "K" attached, but rather are rated on the International HC* scale. *Holy Cow
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
The Groundloop is one of the earliest recorded aerobatic figures. It was performed on virtually all of the taildraggers dating back to Aviation's infancy. The maneuver really came into its own during the Golden Era of the Groundloop which was when the cross-wind landing was invented. Previous to this, circular landing fields were the norm and the pilot simply eye-balled the windsock, and landed into wind. However, it was soon discovered that a short, straight landing strip could be plowed out, and now there would be lots of room for hangars, clubhouse, and an expansive cocktail lounge. Once everyone saw how much fun this new land-use concept generated, it was adopted internationally. The daily Groundloop displays were an instant hit, and helped cast the new idea in tarmac.
ANALYSIS
Most Groundloops are weathercocking related phenomena. This means that at least one main wheel must be touching the earth, and a wind is blowing. Traditionally, the maneuver is started in a cross-wind; during the landing roll-out the tail is allowed to be blown down-wind. At this point there are a variety of options that can be exercised depending on your inputs, and the maneuver can take off in almost any direction, and finish in a variety of attitudes. Groundloops that occur under calm conditions are more rare, and require vigorous control inputs, so you really have to work at it to get a decent one.
Groundloops can be generated anywhere from 5MPH to flying speed. When executed at high speed, the figure covers more territory and generally spawns the most interesting variations.
High-wing taildraggers probably Ground loop the best because the upwind wing is more exposed to the breeze. The high-wing also enjoys a longer arm to really accelerate things once the maneuver starts. If the airplane is designed with the wheels forming a small triangle (short-coupled), and in the hands of the right pilot, this could be a Groundlooping champion.
ESSENTIAL BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE
Avoid the study of the following subjects: a) Cross-wind Landings and Take-offs. b) Ground-Handling in winds.
Avoid seeking instruction on these subjects, for it will greatly reduce your chances of producing a truly World-Class Groundloop. Also, you might want to have a good line ready in case someone raises one of these subjects in conversation: "Cross-wind Landings, heck, wasn't that about lesson 5 on your Private License? I'm way beyond that
Continued next post
How To Groundloop Your Taildragger
Judging by how frequently it is performed, the Groundloop is indeed a popular maneuver. The Groundloop is an extreme low-level figure that is highly acrobatic in nature, which may be executed in many exciting variations. It is customarily performed as the last figure in a sequence, but I have seen the Groundloop attempted as a preliminary or warm-up maneuver.
It is rarely scored however, because it is most often performed out of the Judges' line-of-sight. Also, the Groundloop is categorized as a surprise maneuver, and therefore nobody is really prepared when it is executed. In fact, the figure is not considered genuine unless Judges, spectators and the pilot-in-command are all surprised! The many interesting and dynamic variations do not have a Degree of Difficulty or "K" attached, but rather are rated on the International HC* scale. *Holy Cow
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
The Groundloop is one of the earliest recorded aerobatic figures. It was performed on virtually all of the taildraggers dating back to Aviation's infancy. The maneuver really came into its own during the Golden Era of the Groundloop which was when the cross-wind landing was invented. Previous to this, circular landing fields were the norm and the pilot simply eye-balled the windsock, and landed into wind. However, it was soon discovered that a short, straight landing strip could be plowed out, and now there would be lots of room for hangars, clubhouse, and an expansive cocktail lounge. Once everyone saw how much fun this new land-use concept generated, it was adopted internationally. The daily Groundloop displays were an instant hit, and helped cast the new idea in tarmac.
ANALYSIS
Most Groundloops are weathercocking related phenomena. This means that at least one main wheel must be touching the earth, and a wind is blowing. Traditionally, the maneuver is started in a cross-wind; during the landing roll-out the tail is allowed to be blown down-wind. At this point there are a variety of options that can be exercised depending on your inputs, and the maneuver can take off in almost any direction, and finish in a variety of attitudes. Groundloops that occur under calm conditions are more rare, and require vigorous control inputs, so you really have to work at it to get a decent one.
Groundloops can be generated anywhere from 5MPH to flying speed. When executed at high speed, the figure covers more territory and generally spawns the most interesting variations.
High-wing taildraggers probably Ground loop the best because the upwind wing is more exposed to the breeze. The high-wing also enjoys a longer arm to really accelerate things once the maneuver starts. If the airplane is designed with the wheels forming a small triangle (short-coupled), and in the hands of the right pilot, this could be a Groundlooping champion.
ESSENTIAL BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE
Avoid the study of the following subjects: a) Cross-wind Landings and Take-offs. b) Ground-Handling in winds.
Avoid seeking instruction on these subjects, for it will greatly reduce your chances of producing a truly World-Class Groundloop. Also, you might want to have a good line ready in case someone raises one of these subjects in conversation: "Cross-wind Landings, heck, wasn't that about lesson 5 on your Private License? I'm way beyond that
Continued next post