The Complete Taildragger Pilot

[colojo]

Originally Posted by uk_figs

I bought this and other books, also read a bunch of articles on the web about the physics of taildraggers (torque effects on takeoff, ground loops etc.), landing techniques, cross wind landings etc. All were good reads and interesting however at the end of the day about 10 hours of tailwheel instruction with a very good instructor in a Pacer was the best money I spent.

Ditto for me. The books don't hurt, but there's no substitute for actual experience with a solid instructor.

[tjo]

I read it and Stick and Rudder and I got my primary instruction in a J5 cub. As has been said, the most valuable thing will be the instruction in the plane, but I really recommend the book as well, it's just how I learn stuff.

The biggest thing for me was reading as much as I could to discern between all the fact and fiction surrounding the difficulty of a TW. The fact is, TW is no more difficult than NW. It is a similar comparison to driving a rear drive car in the snow vs. a front drive car in the snow. Yes a front drive is inherently stable, and so you don't need as much practice, but you can end up in the trees with either a front driver or rear driver. Similarly you can also screw up a TW or NW airplane, they are different, but not easy vs. difficult.

IMHO

Tim

[madhun]

I had the benefit of my first 10 hours in a tigermoth, beautiful things to fly but as slow as they are challenging to land; mostly because they don't want to!

I think personally you only need read this, other than that go and fly as suggested.

Tail Dragger I hate your guts
I have the license, ratings and such,
but to make you go straight is driving me nuts.
With hours of teaching and controls in my clutch
It takes a little rudder ? easy, that?s too much!

You see, I learned to fly in a tricycle gear
With one up front and two in the rear.
She was sleek and clean and easy to steer
But this miserable thing with tires and struts
Takes a little rudder ? easy, that?s too much!

It demands your attention on the takeoff roll,
Or it heads towards the boonies as you pour on the coal
Gotta hang loose, don?t over control

This wicked little plane is just too much
With a lot of zigzagging and words obscene
I think I?ve mastered this slippery machine.
It?s not too bad if you have the touch
Just a little rudder ? easy, that?s too much!

I relax for a second and from the corner of my eye
I suddenly realize, with a gasp and a cry
That?s my own tail that?s going by!
You ground looping wreck, I hate your guts
Give a little rudder ? Oh no, THAT?S TOO MUCH!

[wjb]

Originally Posted by madhun

Tail Dragger I hate your guts ...

I Love it!

[luddite42]

Originally Posted by tjo

The fact is, TW is no more difficult than NW.

People seem to like to repeat this. I don't know what you mean by "difficult", but there's a reason nose gear was originally marketed as "land-o-matic" and is now standard issue on most airplanes. Nobody likes to say anything about flying is "difficult", but the fact is that nose wheel is easier. The physics prove it. Same reason most people want automatic transmissions. They are easier and less work. Nothing is "difficult" once you learn. Tailwheel asks more of the pilot, so challenging is a more apt term than difficult. Those who say "tail wheel is not harder, just different" sound like they're selling something.

[mike newall]

Flying a Tiger Moth is interesting...

Flying it a second time is plain stupidity - looks nice, has a wonderful 'presence' but an awful aeroplane to fly

Sadly, I have a few hours on one.........

[TXFlyGuy]

I bought some time in a Legend Cub last fall. The hardest thing to get accustomed to (besides the heel brakes), was the deck angle during the ground roll. The instructor kept telling me to "push the nose over", which I had a hard time doing.