Taildragger for Night and IFR flying?

CubedRoot · #1 07-13-2017, 03:38 PM

Hey folks. I have pretty much fell in love with the RV taildraggers, and am still planning on building my 7 to be a tail dragger. However, I have no tailwheel time as of yet, but I plan on getting some time in a Decathalon way before I have m 7 done, then probably do some transition training in a RV-7 as well.

Are tailwheel planes just as capable as their nosewheel counterparts when it comes to landing at night or even flying IFR? I understand that at after the wheels leave the ground, there is no difference, but what I am worried about is how much more challenging they are (if any) when landing at night or doing an approach and landing in IFR conditions and having a wet runway.

I am planning on doing quite a bit of night flying, and will use my RV-7 on cross country IFR flights as well once I get that rating. I'll probably end up doing my IFR training in my RV-7 just to save money and do the training in a plane I'd be familiar with.

Thanks in advance!

rv6builder · #2 07-13-2017, 05:02 PM

Learn to walk before you run, take it slow and theres no reason at all it can't (or shouldn't) be done. Don't do your first IFR approaches to minimums. Dont do your first night landings in pitch black, black-hole runways. Ease into it by doing circuits as the sun goes down and keep going a little later each time as you get comphortable. Also, with this type of flying currency is everything. Even as a commercial pilot flying IFR every day, I get rusty after a two week vacation.

Snowflake · #3 07-13-2017, 05:08 PM

I remember one evening watching one of the more experienced pilots at our airport doing touch-and-goes in his RV-4 well after dark. I aspire to be that good in my RV-6 some day, he made it look easy. Every one of them was a wheel landing, too.

flyinga · #4 07-13-2017, 05:17 PM

The airlines flew DC-3s for, what, 30-50 years. I'm pretty sure they flew at night and in IFR conditions.

Toobuilder · #5 07-13-2017, 05:23 PM

Visibility is highly over rated. There are plenty of taildraggers out there that you cant even see the runway on final on a bright sunny day, let alone in the 3 point attitude. The point being, you generally dont need a landing light or even forward visibility if you have the peripheral cues active. If so, then night actually is easier due to the sharp definition of the edge due to runway lighting. Landing a taildragger is far more about "feel" than "sight".

Eventually, you will get to the point where the fact that its a taildragger does not even enter your mind. I cant remember the last time I looked at a windsock and said, "I wish this thing had a nose wheel". With enough practice, its just another airplane.

mbuehler · #6 07-13-2017, 05:53 PM

I fly my RV4 at night and IFR, and no real difference that I can tell between it an a tricycle gear airplane. I'm actually better with the RV4 than I am in a 172 (and I have more total hours in Cessnas still).

I fly in the rain as well, no real difference there either. Only when there is a gusty crosswind do things seem a little more difficult, but keep the correct control inputs in and "fly" it until taxi speeds and I've yet to have a problem.

rzbill · #7 07-13-2017, 06:02 PM

Isn't there a mantra about using superior decision making to prevent the need to apply superior piloting skills?

I chose a nosedragger for this particular IFR reason. I did not want to be faced with a more difficult taildragger landing after flying in the ****, making a turbulent approach and then looking at the runway out the side window after breaking out of the clouds because of STRONG crosswinds. I have had IFR days like this.

At that time a taildragger is not on my desired list. Could do it? Yes. Do I want the need for extra skill when I am tired? NO.

Yes, I would love to have a taildragger for the few extra MPH but I'm telling you that I do fly in MUCH higher winds than most everyone else at KAVL except for the commercial folks.

It is a non-issue in a trike.

rv7charlie · #8 07-13-2017, 06:04 PM

I'm not IFR rated, but I put about 200 hrs on a Globe Swift and a fair amount was at night. In my experience, there's no difference in landing issues between tail & nose draggers.

Can't see why there'd be any difference at all for IFR, since the wheel location isn't a factor.

Smilin' Jack · #9 07-13-2017, 07:26 PM

After a couple years of G-18 flying freight at night I just use the basic same techniques in my RV7. I do wheel Landings at night but as far as IFR the landing might be 3 point or wheel landing what ever during the day

you'll have a good time enjoy the build now

Polar · #10 07-13-2017, 07:34 PM

I recommend building hours on type prior to making a firm decision regarding which ratings and what type of flying you'll peruse. I was set on flying IFR when I started out, but the more I flew, and the more IMC I flew in, I realized that I had no problem with only flying when it's nice out!! I finally let my currency lapse and haven't regretted it yet!