When did you decide?

[ArVeeNiner]

The majority of my time is in a TW. I have 500 or so hours in a TW but in one specific airplane, an Aeronca Sedan. When the RV-9 came out that is what I intended to build. I changed my mind and went with the NW for a number of reasons. There were some things though that I didn't think about that I wish I had:

-It was pointed out to me by Ken at Van's that you can get the tail down lower in a NW which could allow for a slower touch down speed which I thought would be a good thing in an engine out situation. But WHAT I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT WAS you have the opportunity to hit the rudder if you flare WAY too much. I don't know if this is even something to worry about but it seems to me that the potential is there. I remember landing my Sedan once at the same moment the wind shifted 180 degrees. I slammed my tail down pretty hard and was happy there was a little wheel back there.

-Insurance must be cheaper for the NW because of the reduced chance of a ground loop but WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT AT THE TIME WAS the spat of NW versions that ended up on their backs. The redesigned NW gear looks to have pretty much solved that problem though (except for that guy in San Diego last year who had his nose gear bend). I also have the Grove NW just to act as suspenders to my belt. Even so, an off field emergency landing in a NW might be a little more exciting than in a TW airplane.

-I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT the fact that the TW version actually has steering on the ground versus steering with brakes for the NW. I had a seeping brake line on my Aeronca that, despite numerous attempts to snug the line, still seeped. Once I was somewhere and the right brake pedal went pretty soft. I still had steering and some brake on that side and I was able to fly home. On the NW, less brake = less steering = no go. And yes, I did eventually replace that line which fixed the problem.

-I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT the fact that two big guys on the steps of a NW version at the same time has the potential for the tail to come down and smack the ground.

So here I am, thinking that maybe I should have built a TW but I don't want to go through the effort and cost to make a change now. But every time I think the TW looks sexier I'll see a NW and think that is hella sexy too!

Make sure you think about the things that I didn't think about then go ahead and build what you really want. I'm sure I'm gonna love my airplane. Once it's off the ground, who cares where that third wheel is?

[Jaypratt]

I like one mans answer,,,, "when I was 5"! TW.
I am 62 and had tail wheel planes when I was 5. Tissue rubber band models. I love the looks of a tail wheel. I do not remember making the decision. I was too little to remember.
2000+ hours of TW time so far. No worries mate! Go for it.

[Danny7]

I have no tailwheel experience. I have 160 hours, and i think my overriding concern when i was thinking about which one i'd get is the price- the NG is around $900 more just in the kits from vans.

other things that have convinced me a tail dragger is for me- no problems with a bending front landing gear. theoretically better for rough fields. looks cooler. If i own a 7, i'm going to fly it a fair bit. therefore a 7tg will encourage better flying skills

[IowaRV9Dreamer]

I had always planned a NW (no TW experience)... but I nearly changed my mind last week after bolting in, removing (don't ask ), rebolting, removing (don't ask again ) and bolting in the main gear mounts on the front of the spar. Those bottom two inboard bolts are a _____!!!

BTW - I'm planning an upgrade on the nosewheel - either an axle space or a whole Grove wheel. Between that, the new fork design, the fact that I fly 99.9% on pavement, and the fact that the Skipper has taught me how to land an airplane (I NEVER let the nose wheel touch anymore) I feel confident that I won't have a dreaded tipple over problem.

I'll probably upgrade the main wheels also just to be different.

[agough277]

Newby tail draggers get to pay a very high insurance permium. There is a reason. Air Force, commercial airlines and most GA aircraft are not tail draggers. There is a reason. If you want to go home happy with most of your landings, go nose gear. I've built and owned a 6A and a 7.
Sold the 7 and have not been unhappy with my landings since. 3/4 of my power time is tail dragger towing gliders. The 7 does looks better on the ground than a 7A if thats whats important. If you ground handle an A model as you would a tail dragger (i.e. keep the weight off the nose) I can see no reasons to worry about the nose gear. Don't let the macho thing get in your way. It's not to macho to have a bad tail dragger landing and have witnesses. Remember the weed thing with taildragger pilots. Those that have and those that will be in the weeds. Thats why insurance premiums are higher. That $900 difference in kit prices will be the difference you'll pay in your first year insurance as a new tail dragger pilot. Loved my 7 by the way.

[gasman]

Originally Posted by agough277

Newby tail draggers get to pay a very high insurance permium. There is a reason. Air Force, commercial airlines and most GA aircraft are not tail draggers.

The 7 does looks better on the ground than a 7A if thats whats important.

But the 6A is the best looking A model that Van has ever built.....

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by gasman

But the 6A is the best looking A model that Van has ever built.....

Especially..........if it has the shorter "classic tail", as mine does!

Note: "classic tail phrase" -- by Box Axom.


L.Adamson --- RV6A

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by agough277

Newby tail draggers get to pay a very high insurance permium. There is a reason. Air Force, commercial airlines and most GA aircraft are not tail draggers. There is a reason. If you want to go home happy with most of your landings, go nose gear. I've built and owned a 6A and a 7.
Sold the 7 and have not been unhappy with my landings since. 3/4 of my power time is tail dragger towing gliders. The 7 does looks better on the ground than a 7A if thats whats important. If you ground handle an A model as you would a tail dragger (i.e. keep the weight off the nose) I can see no reasons to worry about the nose gear. Don't let the macho thing get in your way. It's not to macho to have a bad tail dragger landing and have witnesses. Remember the weed thing with taildragger pilots. Those that have and those that will be in the weeds. Thats why insurance premiums are higher. That $900 difference in kit prices will be the difference you'll pay in your first year insurance as a new tail dragger pilot. Loved my 7 by the way.

I know a pilot with all kinds of airplanes, nosewheels and taildraggers. He's also flown them a lot of hours. However, his F1 (Rocket type), and a high wing taildragger have both got damaged in ground loop accidents in this last year. I think the F1 had something to do with the rear wheel linkage, and I have no idea on the recent highwing.

BTW--- I too have been keeping weight off my 6A's nose gear, ever since landing #1. I let it down to soon, and it picked up the shimmy. Also had to re-torque the nut to 22 lbs side load.

L.Adamson --- RV6A

[wil]

Even before I had decided which RV I was going to build, an RV-7 or RV-8, I knew it would be a taildragger.

I have been flying taildraggers since the early '60's and have no valid reason to change now. Besides, nosedraggers scare me.

Flying a taildragger will teach you what your feet are for--dancing on the rudder pedals.

wil

[llavalle]

Still undecided....

My emp is almost done... I'm leaning toward a -9A... I'm a low time pilot (~100h).. all of this was on C172...

For TW :
The look of a tail dragger is way better...IMO
I've sit in a RV-6 and the visibility is good for a TW.
I also like the fact that you actually steer the rear wheel...
Easier to get on the wing, harder to get in the plane because of the weird angle
Slightly faster (not really an issue for me... I'll be going nowhere anyway)

For NW :
Lower insurance cost
Bigger step to get on the wing but easier to get in
The look is OK
I can't get TW endorsment in any local airport
I've flown them before

In my case the bigger question is Slider VS Tipup...