trying to decide if i want trike or TW need ride in tail wheel rv

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by alpinelakespilot2000

Though I'm very happy I built a tailwheel, one thing I'll add is that worrying about the 6A and 7A are two different things. The 7A's gear legs are taller than the 6A's and thus so is its vertical center of gravity. As a consequence, I'd be less concerned about the nosewheel of a 6A than that of a 7A (or 9A). All that said, I wouldn't discourage anyone from any model, nosewheel or tailwheel. Good luck with whatever you decide.

IMO, since I managed to accomplish bending my 6A's nose leg............

I think they'll bend just as quickly as a 7 & 9's, but possibly not flip as easily.

It's also interesting how our mind changes thought patterns. Before the "bend", I thought that 6A's were more "stately" looking on the ground. The short wing 6's reminded me of a "squatting dog" from certain angles, instead of a sleek gray hound ready to sprint. Now all of the sudden, the tailwheels look better from any angle..

[Mile High Relic]

Originally Posted by erikpmort

Really appreciate the responses. Some good laughs and some really good advice. I think I would enjoy the tail wheel, there are just a few short term drawbacks to it currently for me- I'm not endorsed, insurance is more, and I can't fly a tw rv home again because I'm not endorsed. Again short term obstacles.

The point of doubling my pool of options is Kind of the point- I can keep hunting till I find one I want, without eliminating half of the planes. There are a lot of 6 / 6as for sale which is great lots to choose from

I was in your shoes 2 years ago. I decided to buy whichever came along that fit what I was looking for the best, regardless of which end the 3rd wheel was on. I had flown in a 6A so it wasn't a mystery how it would fly. I ended up with a 6, and that caused some issues, but the t/w training was fun, the instructor a character, and now I'm in the club.

I do want to mention that my instructor pointed out that the true price of joining the tail wheel crowd is "Eternal Vigilance." His favorite phrase on final was "Now pay attention!"

If you think you want a 6, get one. Moving forward in flying, and life really, is often about overcoming obstacles, both figurative and literal.

[ArVeeNiner]

The best looking RV is the one that you see when you open your hangar door!

I have most of my hours in TW but I built a NW. I love it. It is so easy to land and flies like a dream!

TW or NW, if you're buying an RV, you won't be disappointed.

[CBRXXDRV]

It has nothing to do with the plane. Riding in a TW RV will not prove a thing.
It has everything to do with the pilot. Either you are a TW pilot or not.

So the real question is......do "YOU" want to be a TW pilot? If the answer is yes, go get some TW time. If not, shorten your list to nose wheel only.

Look around and you will see plenty of TW pilots that seem to be doing just fine
in all types of TW aircraft.


Sal Capra
N898SC
RV8

[Captain_John]

Originally Posted by Mile High Relic

His favorite phrase on final was "Now pay attention!

Love it! It is true in any plane!

My favorite instructor used to say at the end of every flight, "Once again skill and cunning has triumphed over fear and superstition".

FWIW, I am a TW guy.

Blah blah blah, nose over waka waka waka groundloop. Buy what you like. I like tailwheelers! Way more fun and not everyone can fly your plane!

. CJ

[woodmanrog]

If you ever plan on selling your plane, buy a NW. Many more customer options. I have had a TW that I flew for 800+ hours and now own a NGear that I have flown for 600+ hours. They fly the same and I find that I am much more relaxed on STRONG crosswind landings than in the taildragger. Both are great.

[beberle]

It's not an easy decision. My preference would be to have one of each in the hangar

I was in your shoes 2 weeks ago. I'm a 230hr pilot (90hrs tailwheel) who is now the proud owner of a sweet RV-6A. I've put 14hrs on it in the last 2 weeks including aerobatics and night flight, so I've had a sampling of what it offers.
For me, the deciding factor was mission. My wife and I plan on using it as a travel machine. We did our 1st day-trip to the beach last weekend and that was a very cool thing. Almost all of our destinations will be paved, and several hours away in possibly different and challenging weather conditions. Our 1st trip also confirmed that I made the right choice for me.. I landed at Savannah in a 7kt crosswind component and departed in the evening with a 15kt direct crosswind The nose wheel handled it fine. A tailwheel in those conditions would have been more 'entertaining'.
If your missions shows you're based out of a grass strip or plan on flying to many grass strips, I'd say that the tailwheel is preferred. I do plan on flying to the occasional grass strip, and the A has proven over many thousands of hours that it can do that just fine; however the tailwheel is the better tool.
I HAVE seen a Cessna 195 nose over on a grass strip. Any airplane going into a soft grass strip had better be paying attention.
Just taxiing my 6A with my arm hanging out of the sliding canopy with Excellent visibility over the nose and Very easy ground handling behavior has kept the RV grin on my face for 14days straight! I'm based at a field with 29 flying RVs, and many of them are tailwheel. I've received the 'training wheel' jabs. Nose or tail wheel, it feels like you've become a rock star landing a RV at any field.
You've left out the other major decision.. tip-up vs slider For ME in the Georgia heat, the slider fit the bill.
Good luck on your search! I still can't believe there's a RV in my hangar!

Brian

[Jerry Cochran]

[quote=erikpmort;709288 I'm not endorsed, insurance is more,[/QUOTE]

I've wondered what the cost diff is, can you tell us?

Thanks, Jerry

[gasman]

Originally Posted by L.Adamson

IMO, since I managed to accomplish bending my 6A's nose leg............

I think they'll bend just as quickly as a 7 & 9's, but possibly not flip as easily.

It's also interesting how our mind changes thought patterns. Before the "bend", I thought that 6A's were more "stately" looking on the ground. The short wing 6's reminded me of a "squatting dog" from certain angles, instead of a sleek gray hound ready to sprint. Now all of the sudden, the tailwheels look better from any angle..

Except your forward visibility during ground maneuvers. And that's where you will hit something. Be sure to have "In Motion" coverage.......

[John Collier]

The tailwheel could open up opportunities down the road. I'm looking at starting up in a T6 with a CAF chapter and then hopefully flying some P-51s, etc. I'm glad I have tailwheel experience and the RV is a very honest TW airplane. Like others have said...get the airplane you want and don't be overly intimidated with the TW.