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01-27-2013, 03:35 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Canton,NC
Posts: 190
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Taildragger?
OK guys....here's another question I'm pondering. I know there are diehards on both sides of this one, and I apologize in advance if this topic has been beat to death, but please bare with me. I see a lot of taildragger -6's for sale. I have my TD endorsement, but I owned a Thorp at the time and the dang thing scared me to death. No problems taking off or flying, but landing was terrifying, even for a CFII AND my C-17 Aircraft Commander son. So, I kept it 6 months and sold it. My question is this.....are Van's TD's any more docile. I cannot get into another situation where I'm scared to fly an A/C. Thanks again in advance. Let the games begin......
__________________
Dad of an Air Force C-17 flight instructor
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01-27-2013, 03:43 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 1,077
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I've never flown a Thorp. And I've never flown an RV-6, so I don't know if this will be of any relevance. But I have about 75 hours in a Champ, about 125 hours in a Sonex, and about 115 hours in my RV-4. The -4 is the easiest of all to land. The Sonex wasn't far behind. Once I learned NOT to get to slow on final with full flaps, things went great. Landings are no problem, and I have flown this plane from North Florida to the back country of ID, WY, and MT, getting easily into short and long strips alike...
It might be of benefit to find someone close to you that has a -6 and get some time. I can't imagine you would be disappointed, much less frightened. They are extremely wonderful handling machines..
__________________
Chris Smith
Maule M5-180C (Sold)
RV-6 O-360 CS (Sold)
RV-4 O-360 FP (Sold)
Full-time in the other type of RV....
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01-27-2013, 03:46 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Vero Beach, FL
Posts: 881
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I've never flown a Thorp but the RV-6 is an extremely docile taildragger. For that matter, all of Van's taildraggers are pretty docile. How about finding someone to let you fly from the right/left seat on one? So you can judge for yourself. If you can make your way down this way, I'll be glad to let you fly mine. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised ... compared to how you describe the Thorp's characteristics.
Last edited by Pat Hatch : 01-27-2013 at 03:49 PM.
Reason: Spelling...
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01-27-2013, 03:47 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 12,887
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First of all, let me say there is no bias towards RV?s to be found on this board of any kind.
I've flown a bunch of different taildraggers but never a T18. That said, the RV's are the easiest taildraggers I have ever flown.
The Thorps are all hand built and it is possible the gear on yours wasn't aligned properly, causing it to have less than desirable landing characteristics.
The RV-7, -8, -9, and now the -14 all have landing gear that come pre-drilled from the factory, meaning they should all line up out of the box.
Whatever RV you decide to buy, give it a test hop and see how it handles for yourself.
__________________
Bill R.
RV-9 (Yes, it's a dragon tail)
O-360 w/ dual P-mags
Build the plane you want, not the plane others want you to build!
SC86 - Easley, SC
www.repucci.com/bill/baf.html
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01-27-2013, 03:55 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 454
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Not trying to sound snarky, but realize that being a CFII or a C17 pilot has zero bearing on one's ability to skillfully handle a tailwheel airplane. Tailwheel experience is all that matters. Did you ever check the wheel alignment on the T-18? It has wide, spring gear, and should not be considered a challenging tailwheel airplane. Never heard anyone say anything like this about them.
Sounds like you need to get your confidence back (or get confident to begin with) in tailwheel airplanes. The RV is very straightforward as tailwheel airplanes go. If you have basic tailwheel competency, then you will not have any problems.
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01-27-2013, 03:58 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Chesterfield, Missouri
Posts: 4,514
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Neighbor and friend Frank Baldwin flies a Thorpe and a RV-6.
Send him an email on the subject and I am sure he will respond
Frank Baldwin <fbaldwin@troyairpark.com>
__________________
RV-12 Build Helper
RV-7A...Sold #70374
The RV-8...Sold #83261
I'm in, dues paid 2019 This place is worth it!
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01-27-2013, 04:48 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
Posts: 10,768
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Wow! Am I the only one here who's flown a T-18?
Difference between the T-18 and RV-6 is "Night-N-Day".
Landing the T-18 keeps you on your toes. Comparatively, the RV-6 is a pussy-cat.
Many years ago a good friend of mine flew a T-18 out of Addison Airport. Even though touch-n-goes were prohibited, every time John called final, the controller would ask, "Will this be full stop?" John's answer would always be "Hopefully!"
__________________
Mel Asberry, DAR since the last century.
EAA Flight Advisor/Tech Counselor, Friend of the RV-1
Recipient of Tony Bingelis Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
USAF Vet, High School E-LSA Project Mentor.
RV-6 Flying since 1993 (sold)
<rvmel(at)icloud.com>
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01-27-2013, 04:59 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: La Center,wa
Posts: 210
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A while back I did a survey for pilot feedback. The bottom line was, overall for all RV's 40% were built with tail wheels and 60% with nose wheels. Of these, one out of almost 200 responders wished they had built a nose wheel instead of a tail wheel, so less than 1%, and 10% that built with nose wheels wished they had gone with tail wheels. This means that if everyone had what they really wanted the fleet would be split 50/50. My conclusion is: get my wife her tail wheel endorsement and build it right, er..., I mean with a tail wheel.
Tim
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01-27-2013, 05:05 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,275
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You may be lucky to find someone to give you tailwheel time in an RV. But you are probably better off finding someone who does it for a cost and get transition training. If you decide at the end that a taildragger is not for you. get an A model.
However, another of my biased opinionated opinions is keep A models off of non-paved surfaces.
Search the forum for tipover.
Last edited by Ron Lee : 01-27-2013 at 05:07 PM.
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01-27-2013, 05:09 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,275
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tjo
The bottom line was, overall for all RV's 40% were built with tail wheels and 60% with nose wheels. Of these, one out of almost 200 responders wished they had built a nose wheel instead of a tail wheel, so less than 1%, and 10% that built with nose wheels wished they had gone with tail wheels. This means that if everyone had what they really wanted the fleet would be split 50/50.
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All this proves is that taildragger pilots have huge egos and won't admit that they should have gone with an A model. 
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