Where to put the little wheel???

[jferraro17]

The time has come where I MUST make a decision on the -8 vs the -8A.

I have ZERO tail wheel experience, but have been leaning that way from the begining. Short list of pros/cons:

Pro:
Grove airfoil gear
a new challange to learn
better CG management
no step installation
looks great

Con:
no experince (risk, insurance rates?)
don't plan extensive soft field flying
Texas winds
less leg room (towers)
no experience

Aside form the normal/expected ribbing resulting from this post, I am looking for real experience, arguments, regrets, etc. I have heard some tailwheel builders wish they had gone the other way after flying for a while...haven't heard it the other way around. That's why I'm asking.

To avoid instigating a war--and to solicit your TRUE feelings, you can reply to me at jferraro16 at yahoo.com or via private message here. That way NOBODY will know how you really feel about your decsion, or the advice you give...and you won't have to face the knuckleheads around here who will certainly pile on!

Thanks,
Joe

[DeltaRomeo]

Go with your heart, Joe. I had zero TW time also when building my plane.

If you'd like to taxi Flash around 52F for thirty minutes or so you're more than welcome to (that's what Jay Pratt did to me...and it helped). You'll get completely comfortable (at least taxiing) in about five minutes.

b,
dr

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by jferraro16

and you won't have to face the knuckleheads around here who will certainly pile on! Thanks, Joe

Boy, you sure know how to take all the fun out of things.

[steveKs.]

Joe,
I only have about 500 tailwheel hours and probably like you I was concerned with the "can I really do this" thoughts.

I fly a RV8 and a Supercub and there is no safety issue. Just get enough conventional dual (duel) til you feel comfortable.
I fly in Kansas and cross winds are a non issue as long as the proper technique is applied.

Go for the taildragger!!

[jferraro17]

Just to clarify...

When I say "knuckleheads", it is a term of friendly kidding. NOT an insult as somebody who replied privately insinuated (not Mike S). I thought we all have fun here, ribbing, teasing, etc.

I was simply trying to prevent the typical, macho, "my tail wheel is bigger than yours" responses that this type of post/question generates. But alas, somebody took it the wrong way, so I apologize. It was not meant as an insult, and I think some people need to lighten up a bit...realize the written word can not aways be taken LITERALLY or at initial face value before firing off an emotional response.


Feel free to pile on me or anyone else who responds...geez.

Joe

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by jferraro16

Just to clarify...

When I say "knuckleheads", it is a term of friendly kidding. NOT an insult as somebody who replied privately insinuated (not Mike S). I thought we all have fun here, ribbing, teasing, etc. Joe

Joe, Probably 99% of the people have fun 99% of the time.

I know I sure do------------

[KirkGrovesRV8]

Hi Joe!
I only had around 120hrs in a citabria when I flew my 8. I am super satisfied with my choice I had some questions about my choice,but after a excellent check out with Alex D it was a total non event. If you plan to fly on a regular basis you will find your skill and confidence will grow with every flight.
Either way you will love the 8, all the best!

[N941WR]

Joe,

Check with Cam. He converted his -9A to a -9 and has been very happy with the switch. He told me that he knew he made a mistake making an "A" before he finished his Phase I.

Build the plane YOU want, not the plane other people want you to build.

[johnp]

i'm building a 7a, but if it was an 8, it'd have to be conventional gear for purely aesthetic reasons. somehow the side-by-sides look pretty good as tricycle (imho), but the tandems belong to be tail-draggers.

[Dennis Madden]

Joe,
Push yourself learn a new skill. You will never regret it. You've already pushed youself to become a pilot, and your building a plane, which tells me right off that you don't back down from stuff just because it takes "effort". Tailwheel flying is a dieing art form, basically because it's a "little" harder than basic nose wheel flying. But so it flying any airplane WELL. You can do it.
At work, sometimes I can tell if my co-pilot is a tail wheel guy just by how he handles the airplane. Big airplanes are "safe" to land in a crab, and lots a guys do it. But it's still not the best way. If a guy gets into the flare and gently aligns the A/C with the runway just before touch down, I'd bet he has some champ time in his past. (more and more rare these days)
Build what fits your mission, but don't shy away from the tailwheel because it's seems hard. Get some Citabria time, or bum a ride in an 8. ****, c'mon out here and I'll show you myself. ;-) It's not hard, and the skills you learn will make you a better all around pilot.

DM
the above is just my opinion, and I could be wrong... <BG>

Originally Posted by jferraro16

The time has come where I MUST make a decision on the -8 vs the -8A.

I have ZERO tail wheel experience, but have been leaning that way from the begining. Short list of pros/cons:

Pro:
Grove airfoil gear
a new challange to learn
better CG management
no step installation
looks great

Con:
no experince (risk, insurance rates?)
don't plan extensive soft field flying
Texas winds
less leg room (towers)
no experience

Aside form the normal/expected ribbing resulting from this post, I am looking for real experience, arguments, regrets, etc. I have heard some tailwheel builders wish they had gone the other way after flying for a while...haven't heard it the other way around. That's why I'm asking.

To avoid instigating a war--and to solicit your TRUE feelings, you can reply to me at jferraro16 at yahoo.com or via private message here. That way NOBODY will know how you really feel about your decsion, or the advice you give...and you won't have to face the knuckleheads around here who will certainly pile on!

Thanks,
Joe