Want Taildragger Opinions

[Deuskid]

How much more % wise is insurance for TDs [assuming everything is identical between the two [hours, time in type, etc?]?

How are grass airfields prepped differently then ?just a field?? If one had flat land could they build an airstrip for themselves without much difficulty?

What are ground loops?

Which type would be better for a ?heavier? engine? I am toying with the idea of using a diesel at some point. Does the TD or the Tri do better with heavier engines?

If one were building an A, how much difficulty would it be to add the tail wheel bracket [effort/money/time] at that time so that a conversion could be made later if desired?

There was a recent thread in the 9 section where a newbie was asking about an A v. TD. Several people there said that As land well on grass strips. Comments?


thanks,

John

[rv8ch]

Originally Posted by Deuskid

How are grass airfields prepped differently then ?just a field?? If one had flat land could they build an airstrip for themselves without much difficulty?

Hard to give an exact answer. I've seen grass strips that were exactly like any random field in the middle of nowhere, just "mowed". I've also seen them that were smooth and about as pretty as a golf green. Mostly they are in between. Depends on the area, type of dirt, amount of rain and sunshine, and what kinds of local animals you have that like to dig. Having never created a grass strip myself, I have no idea how hard it is to build and maintain one, but like most things, it's probably harder than it looks.

Originally Posted by Deuskid

What are ground loops?

It's when the tailwheel can't make up its mind about whether it is a tailwheel or a nose wheel. Unfortunately it often involves the wingtips, and possibly other parts of the aircraft. For more information about why this happens, get a kid's tricycle, and give it a push. Now turn it around, and push it backwards. See what happens.

[JoeG]

Good Thread...

I'll have to admit that even with more than 150 hours in TD aircraft (Champ/Citabrias) and 350+ total hours, I was at first a bit apprehensive about the RV TD configuration. With that amount of hours, I'm certainly no pro, but I'm very comfortable in a 7AC flyin on nothing but "needle, ball, airspeed". After reading all the posts here however, I am completely at peace with the decision to press with my RV-7.

I'm not sure why I had any apprehension.

Perhaps because I haven't sat in a -7 and wasn't sure about taxi visibility.

Perhaps because I haven't landed in a -7 and was uncertain about x-wind performance. (Although I have always felt much more comfortable landing a Champ in the x-wind as compared to the C-172).

I love TD airplanes for all the reasons listed in the earlier posts. There's nothing more fun than making the grass strip tour on a Saturday morning.

My gut always said TD. Now my decision is final...

Thanks guys,

[robertahegy]

What ever a pilot/builder decides, TD or ND, the big deal is just learn to properly fly the configuration of your choice. They are both Great fun and both Beautiful airplanes. Improperly controlled and flown without respect, either can be an ugly handfull. That can be said about any airplane. Proper training, technique, and respect are key.

JMHO

Roberta