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  #11  
Old 09-16-2015, 07:57 AM
Icarus Icarus is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: D.C.
Posts: 303
Default Feels good is good.

Quote:
Originally Posted by smokyray View Post

[u]Bottom Line: Wheels landings provide better forward visibility, rudder effectiveness and braking.They also look cooler IMHO!
Way cooler, second that. If you're having fun landing?you're most likely doing it right.
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  #12  
Old 09-16-2015, 09:17 AM
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Saville Saville is offline
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: KBVY Massachusetts
Posts: 1,100
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by luddite42 View Post
Flying technique discussion on forums often elicits "I was taught" comments. Some people just flat teach odd techniques, as stated above.

And lots of people do not....

I would hope pilots try different techniques and with experience find what works best for them, rather than blindly follow and restate what some instructor taught them.

And some people take what they were taught, asked questions about it, thought it over carefully, tried different things.....and decide they like what they were taught......

I would much rather see "I was taught..." statements followed with "and in my experience..." statements.

I like it when people decide for themselves what to write.

There is no reason to wheel land only on pavement. And unless your main wheels are leaving ruts, it's not really a soft field. Keeping the tail up until it will no longer fly is a recipe for a trip into the ditch in very gusty x-winds.

Perhaps I'm wrong but I don't recall anyone writing, in this thread, that the tail should stay up as long as possible.

There are no rules, regardless of conditions. It's only what works best for you. Different techniques work for different people. Understand the advantages and disadvantages as they apply to your particular airplane.

No argument there. But just because people say "I was taught...." and don't follow that up with exquisite, highly detailed qualification that they thought it through, tried other things, etc doesn't mean it didn't happen.
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  #13  
Old 09-16-2015, 10:01 AM
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cfiidon cfiidon is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: California
Posts: 652
Default But what about takeoff?

Much has been written about tailwheel landings, but I have seen no discussion about takeoffs.

I watched an RV-6 takeoff before me and when the tail came up there was the expected right yaw with a brisk right crosswind.

"I'll watch for that" says I... however I experienced the same thing even though I was well prepared with right rudder... either not enough or not on time.

So how about aileron into the wind, stick full back, fly it off in a three point attitude (actually 3-2-1, downwind wheel up, upwind wheel up, tailwheel up).

I've tried it with no or little wind and it works fine.

Thoughts?

Don
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  #14  
Old 09-16-2015, 10:11 AM
pvalovich pvalovich is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Ridgecrest, CA
Posts: 432
Smile Landing Analysis

I did extensive analysis regarding tailwheel landing techniques. I had 7000+ flight hours but no taildragger time, was 63 years old, lived in the boonies with no easy access to tailwheel instruction, and realized the ever-changing Eastern Sierra winds were always going to be a challenge.

Bit the bullet and substituted practical for cool and built an -8A. No regrets.
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  #15  
Old 09-16-2015, 10:54 AM
Martin Sutter Martin Sutter is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 266
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Flew my RV6 for 2500 hrs all over the country and always 3 pointed it even in the gustiest conditions. Worked for me, never got out of control or even close to it. The objective was to get the tail wheel on the ground and get positive steering. I kept the steering links tight with no slack. With the stick fully aft the plane was a pussycat on roll out. Not claiming that is the only way to do it but it worked for me.

Martin Sutter
Building and flying RV's since 1988
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  #16  
Old 09-16-2015, 11:22 AM
Darren S Darren S is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Canada
Posts: 439
Default

I use 20 degrees flaps (depends on how strong the cross wind is), increase approach speed by 5 knots and aim for the upwind side of the runway. The wind will blow me towards the centreline.

Keep the upwind wing low, rudder input so the nose is straight and aim just short of the runway.

The extra speed and wind makes the flare long enough to easily clear the numbers. I keep some power on too, till the flare and then gently reduce power.

As soon as the upwind wheel touches, power off and dance on the pedals and brakes to keep 'er straight. Exhale when the tailwheel touches down.

In really gusty winds, I have to keep flying and descend slowly until the upwind wheel kisses the runway, otherwise I'll bounce and then it becomes a gong show
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  #17  
Old 09-17-2015, 03:01 PM
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Ed_Wischmeyer Ed_Wischmeyer is online now
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Savannah, GA
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Controller training was going on today (huge separation, lotsa delays) so I only did one landing in 13 knots, 40 degree crosswind reported. I screwed up and was way high but a wicked slip took care of most of that and then I was fast on short final, no flaps. Three point landing and the rollout was much easier than anticipated and made the first turnoff with only moderate braking. Thanks for the recommendation, Martin!

If the wind was strong from the southwest, I could land across the runway (runways here are NS / EW), but with winds from the northeast, as they were today, I not sure what my options would be - other airports most likely.

Haven't yet had the -9A up in any significant crosswinds. Hope it doesn't require anything unusual...
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  #18  
Old 09-20-2015, 07:48 AM
Robb Robb is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Nevada City Ca
Posts: 198
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I have 2000 landings in my Aviat husky which is a flying kite and just bought an Rv7 and in the process of getting checked out. I am doing all 3 point landings no matter what.wheel landings in gusty crosswinds in my husky is a recipe for disaster.until the tail is on the ground and stick toward the wind it's easy to ground loop as there is minimal control. I assume the rv is similar
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  #19  
Old 09-20-2015, 08:06 AM
sailvi767 sailvi767 is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Charlotte NC
Posts: 1,166
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I have found that if conditions are gusty half or no flaps makes for a more stable platform in the flare. I three point crosswind landings most of the time but fly a six. Most RV6 pilots I have talked with prefer the three point. RV8 guys favor the wheel landings.
G
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  #20  
Old 09-20-2015, 08:08 AM
David-aviator David-aviator is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Chesterfield, Missouri
Posts: 4,514
Default

Know your limits and do not exceed them.

Use sufficient rudder, aileron and brakes to keep aircraft on runway.

If headed for grass, cob power to it an go around.

Over and out.
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