Quote:
Originally Posted by dtw_rv6
I raise the tail on takeoff because I've found it to be the shortest takeoff roll for me. That being said I used to do 3 point takeoffs in Cessna 140s and just about any other light tailwheel I've flown. And wheel landings are a ton of fun - that's why I do them when I do them.
This is no different than the discussion about approaches to landings. There isn't a pre-determined, one size fits all solution. You need to be proficient at all options.
?To the man with only a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.? That?s a perfectly disastrous way to think and a perfectly disastrous way to fly an airplane.
Don
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I agree about the shortest takeoff is where you get the tail up so the wing's angle of attack is pretty close to zero so it reduces drag. But do you raise the tail by using full forward stick from application of throttle until the tail comes up? Unless doing a 3 point takeoff, the tail eventually has to come up some. I think it is better to keep the tailwheel on the ground until sufficient (tail) flying speed is developed and then a bit of forward stick or releasing back pressure will let it rise but with sufficient control authority. If every takeoff is short field and requires it, I agree. But there are trade offs for getting that short distance. One is decreased controlability when the tailwheel isn't steering but the rudder isn't really effective. Many airplanes tail will "fly" when the rudder isn't necessarily effective. Throw in a little left crosswind and forcing the tail up too early can cause a swerve to the left.
All that said, fortunately, the RV series isn't rudder limited greatly. Unfortunately, someone may develop some habits in an RV that will cause them grief in other taildraggers. I watched it happen in a Pitts. Pilot had a great deal of t/w time in lightweight planes such as Cub, Champ, Kitfox, etc. He did what he always did. He popped the tail up and the plane darted off the left side of the runway...and the Pitts has a pretty darned effective rudder.
I agree, there is no one size fits all when it comes to flying taildraggers.