VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #1  
Old 06-24-2006, 10:25 PM
future-RV-owner future-RV-owner is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 3
Default Easy/Hard to Taxi?

Silly question, but I am a 5000TT, ATP/MEI, with two turbine types, and looking to buy a already-made RV-7 or RV-8.

WIth that said, I have ZERO tail wheel time.

Can a tricycle driver like myself learn?

thanks
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-24-2006, 11:18 PM
Ted Farmin Ted Farmin is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Sandpoint, Idaho
Posts: 104
Default taildragger time

You sure can but it is a must to get dual in say a Citabria or similar type.
I have heard of airline pilots who learned in a taildragger then spent 30,000
hours in airliners and it took them 10 hours of dual to be able to handle
a tail wheel.

Ted with the bionic leg

Wiring the Dynon etc.
RV4
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-25-2006, 07:22 AM
penguin penguin is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: England
Posts: 1,087
Default

Yes you can, its not difficult, just different. Alternatively you could buy at 7A or 8A.

Pete
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-25-2006, 07:36 AM
dan's Avatar
dan dan is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: ...
Posts: 2,049
Default

Why not start by getting your tailwheel endorsement? That right there should give you an indication of whether you (a) enjoy flying the taildragger and (b) are up for the challenge. Take rides in straight & "A" model RVs and then decide.

The tailwheel RV is trivial as long as you stay ahead of it (which holds true regardless of where the 3rd wheel is). Not to mention it's easier & less expensive to maintain (removing the lower cowl, one fewer gear leg fairing/wheel pant/wheel/tire/tube), plus easier to move around, easier to load baggage, etc.

I'm not trying to start a tail vs. nose war, just trying to state the practical appeal of the tailwheel (because it's not as truly "practical" as an "A" model as a whole).
__________________
Dan Checkoway RV-7
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-25-2006, 08:26 AM
N713R's Avatar
N713R N713R is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Flanagan, IL
Posts: 194
Default All about the Rudder!!!

Taxiing a tailwheel airplane is all about the rudder pedals!! You have to get used to really using your feet. And as Dan said, it is manageable provided you stay ahead of it. I am a low time pilot, and don't yet have my TW endorsment, though I have some TW time. Just my experience.
__________________
Ben Schneider
RV-7 FWF & Finish Kit
N713R Reserved


The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-25-2006, 08:43 AM
rv8ch's Avatar
rv8ch rv8ch is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LSGY
Posts: 3,198
Default Can you handle it?

Quote:
Originally Posted by future-RV-owner
Silly question, but I am a 5000TT, ATP/MEI, with two turbine types, and looking to buy a already-made RV-7 or RV-8.

WIth that said, I have ZERO tail wheel time.

Can a tricycle driver like myself learn?
I can guarantee that you are a better pilot than at least one person who has mastered the tailwheel.
__________________
Mickey Coggins
http://rv8.ch
"Hello, world!"
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-25-2006, 09:43 AM
Dgamble's Avatar
Dgamble Dgamble is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 845
Default

I had 0 hours TW when I started transition training in my 6. For the first 5 hours, I was wondering what I had gotten myself into. For the second 5 hours, I grew increasingly eager to get the dead weight of the CFI out of my plane so I could see what an RV really flew like. 60 hours later, I limit myself to crosswinds under 15 knots, but other than that really don't think about it much anymore. Of course, I'm a superb pilot and YMMV.

Quote:
Originally Posted by future-RV-owner
Silly question, but I am a 5000TT, ATP/MEI, with two turbine types, and looking to buy a already-made RV-7 or RV-8.

WIth that said, I have ZERO tail wheel time.

Can a tricycle driver like myself learn?

thanks
__________________
Dave Gamble
Grove City, OH

RV-6 N466PG Purchased already flying - SOLD!

The Book: The PapaGolf Chronicles

Built RV-12
http://www.schmetterlingaviation.com

The Book: Being written.

The above web blogs and any links provided thereto are not instructional or advisory in nature. They merely seek to share my experiences in building and flying Van's RV airplanes.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-25-2006, 10:23 AM
bullojm1's Avatar
bullojm1 bullojm1 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 1,039
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by future-RV-owner
Silly question, but I am a 5000TT, ATP/MEI, with two turbine types, and looking to buy a already-made RV-7 or RV-8.

WIth that said, I have ZERO tail wheel time.

Can a tricycle driver like myself learn?

thanks
I only have about 110 hours of tri-gear only time and just started my tw training in a citabria. I found the first 3-4 hours frustrating (I almost didn't want to continue, not to mention heel brakes SUCK), but in the last 2 hours things started to click and my takeoff/landings are really smoothing out. Also, whenever I jump into my 172 I find myself landing a lot better. It definitely makes you a better pilot.

My advice is to get your tw endorcement. In the end, if you don't feel comfortable in it, then look at a -7/8A. There is no sense flying something that you are not comfortable in. For someone with your time, I think most schools require only 5 hours of tw training which at $150/hour (my price for plane + cfi) is only $750 wasted/gained. Thats a lot better than $60,000+ wasted!
__________________
Mike Bullock
RV-7, Flying!
http://www.rvplane.com
EAA Technical Counselor
The Best FAA N-Number Availability Search Engine -TailNum.com
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 06-25-2006, 10:44 AM
briand's Avatar
briand briand is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Grand Rapids MI
Posts: 742
Default Easy/Hard to Taxi

Quote:
Originally Posted by future-RV-owner
Silly question, but I am a 5000TT, ATP/MEI, with two turbine types, and looking to buy a already-made RV-7 or RV-8.

WIth that said, I have ZERO tail wheel time.

Can a tricycle driver like myself learn?

thanks

Just whatever you do DON'T push the stick foward!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 06-25-2006, 12:10 PM
TShort TShort is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Indianapolis, IN (KUMP)
Posts: 1,024
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by briand
Just whatever you do DON'T push the stick foward!
That would be in the trigear plane, right?

There are lots of times that I use forward yoke (stick) in the 170 (wheel landings, getting the tail up on t/o, etc) but I would never do so in a nosewheel plane...

Thomas
-8 wings
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:33 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.