A Model vs Taildragger

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by DaAV8R

I didn't even know owning 3 airplanes was an option

What's wrong with -3 RV's?!

[RV8R999]

Originally Posted by Ron Lee

With women, do you prefer blondes, brunettes or redheads?

Shouldn't this be a Poll question?

[Subwaybob]

Originally Posted by Ironflight

What's wrong with -3 RV's?!

We have already talked about this... You said the tax man thinks they are parts or something... So being extremely conservative I am willing to cross over to the dark side and agree with the Dems. So....

GIVE ME ONE OF THOSE AIRPLANES!! It's only FAIR...

[humptybump]

What I like about a tricycle gear airplane:

Handle nicely on modern paved runways.
Comfortable for passengers when on the ground.
A bit easier ground handling in crosswinds.
Not prone to ground loop if a landing gets out of hand.
All RV's are fast and fun :-)


What I like about a conventional gear airplane:

The look when parked.
A less concern when flying from grass strips.
Time building toward owning an antique aircraft (which are almost all tailwheel)
All RV's are fast and fun :-)

[longranger]

Originally Posted by humptybump

...What I like about a conventional gear airplane: ...Time building toward owning an antique aircraft (which are almost all tailwheel)...

I consider my 1900+ hours in C-170, J3, Stearman, etc. to be time building toward owning a conventional gear RV!

[Jaypratt]

Originally Posted by DaAV8R

I didn't even know owning 3 airplanes was an option

Yes!!
A RV7A and a RV8 would be a good choice. Or a RV10 and a RV8.
Get one of each!! I have three 'tandem' airplanes, a exp Supercub, a RV8 and a 4 place 'Tandem' ,, a C180J
All fun, and each has a mission.

[molson309]

I have a RV-7A and a F1 Rocket. At this point I have many more hours on the 7A than I do the Rocket, so my opinion is of course colored by my relative level of experience in both.

This being said I find the 7A to be much more easily and consistently, landed in varying runway, airframe loading and wind conditions. The Rocket, while not difficult to land, requires much more consideration of conditions and definitely requires active inputs when landing and rolling out, something to be dealt with when arriving at a unfamiliar airport after a long day of flying. My tailwheel experience in other makes of airplane also agree with this assessment. How an airplane looks is subjective and one can argue all day about how much skill, or lack of it, is required to land tri-gear vs. tailwheel. But I have to say I prefer the tri-gear configuration for its landing and rollout stability. And being able to see over the nose without doing S-turns while taxiing is an additional plus. Would I build or buy another tailwheel airplane? Sure. But I am under no delusions about it being "better" or "cooler" than a tri-gear one, it's just different. And in the end it really boils down to personal preference. Learn to fly both types and decide which YOU like best.

[N941WR]

It takes about 10 hours +/- to learn to land a nosewheel aircraft and 10 hours +/- to learn to land a TW airplane.

You can do those 10 hours as part of your PPL or later, your choice.

[NickAir]

Pick the one you like the best.

Remember that the nose wheel RV does not have conventional steering as the nose wheel of a trigear Cessna or piper spam can.

I completely agree with all points already made.

Your research on this issue would benifit from searching the VAF archives as there is much info on the nose-wheel vs tail-wheel issue.

I have done both. Personally, I like the tail-wheel RV the best, because of looks and off airport performance.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

[PerfTech]

Originally Posted by RV8R999

Shouldn't this be a Poll question?

How did pole dancing come into this issue? I like blonds pole dancing!