A Model vs Taildragger

[RV7Ron]

Joe, I am like you...an inexperienced pilot...learned to fly in a C172. I chose the RV7 2 1/2 yrs ago without a minute of TW time...for all the same reasons all the TW guys have already mentioned...and bottom line, it was what I wanted. I got my endorsement this summer in a Citabria. It was an initial (couple hrs flying time) steep learning curve as you 'learn' what the rudder pedals actually do and its certainly more challenging than flying a C172, but really not nearly as bad as some tri-gear guys like to claim. Dont be intimidated by the idea of it. I emphatically, without a doubt, know I made the right choice for me going with the -7 as I simply 'LOVE' to fly the Citabria and cant wait until the -7 is done. I say try it...you will probably love it also, if you have the right mindset...ie, enjoy the challenge it presents. Either way, you wont go wrong with either model. BTW...my opinion is that the nosegear collapse thing on the -A's is a little overblown if you are staying on improved runway surfaces. Good luck in your decision.

[PerfTech]

Originally Posted by Ron Lee

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

All three at the same time, naturally!

[Bob Axsom]

Does this thread in it's many forms ever make a difference in a builder's selection?

Bob Axsom

[NickAir]

Year after year this is a never ending debate. Many are interested in this discussion at most airports across the country. Does it help a RV builder decide? Likely they have already made up their mind and just want support for thier decision. They get the support here for sure.

Do which one you like. If you dont know do some flying in each with the many that are available for a ride.

Near 2500 hits on just this one here.

[wera710]

The problem with Taildraggers is that in the 1960s I think many instructors and even more Magazine Writers simply FORGOT what their feet were for...so TDs got a bad rap. These would-be bards often touted how easy tricycles were and often cast suspiscious glances at TDs, maybe to mask their own inability to figure out that the funny things connected to their ankles actually have a purpose in flight. Beleive it or not, RVs don't really need much rudder either, so the transition is easier than one might think.

In reality, both configurations are pretty easy to learn. You often hear that a Tricycle is easier in wind. Not really. At least in the class of aircraft we are discussing:
Either way, you have to fly the aircraft to the ground and keep them there in the crosswind. Both simply require practice to understand what each wants. Same for taxi and roll out. Keeping a RV Taildragger straight on roll out is pretty simple and surprisingly easy - more so than some 1940s era TDs I've flown. And RV taxi is almost silly easy compared to trational Luscombes, Cubs, Tayorcraft and the like. To be frank, none of those are particularly hard to taxi either. But until you fly them, you may be prone to believe what you read. To put it bluntly, you do not have to be a hairy chested pilot to master any of the GA level TDs.

The problem is mostly MENTAL on the part of the individual pilot. Come to a TD with pre-conceived ideas, and those conceptions will rule you until someone shows you otherwise. Read about how this or that general aviation TD is a ground loop waiting to happen, while forgeting that the yutz writing those words probably couldn't fly their arse out of a hanger if they had to fly anything beyond a business oriented fly-itself GA aircraft, and you've allowed your views to be tainted by someone elses lack of experience, which has nothing to do with your own skill building. Or hairy chests. It all comes down to basic fundamental training and eventual familiarity.

Make your choice based not on what you've been told "about" the either type in terms of supposed difficulty to master. So long as you are trained properly, there is nothing to fear. As far as learning to fly either type, its a wash in my mind. Good instructor = a lifetime of good experience in either type.

Base the choice SOLEY on how you will ultimately USE the aircraft.

It just comes down to what you want to do with the thing. The main advantage of a TD is the ability to land pretty much anywhere, from a big paved runways, to a wet grass field, or a grass field with tall grass that makes some tricycle guys cringe. If you have a desire to go to interesting back country fields, or grass stips, and don't want to worry about the front wheel pant, or shimmy, or structural issues with the nose gear, you may want to consider a TD. At the same time, if all you are ever going to do is local or X-country from one paved strip to the next, then either will work fine.

So if you are a low time pilot, the only thing between you and any of the guys flying tail draggers (RV or otherwise) is some quality time with a TD qualified instructor. People tend to put way too much emphasis on the skill levels required for TDs and they scare newbees away from them for no reason.

Final note, don't let the supposed visibility of the Tri-gear RVs factor into this either. Many of the TDs, both GA and Vans, have a lot of over the nose visibility. We're not talking Spitfires here with a "thousand miles" of cowl. The RVs are all pretty easy to see over the nose, with the RV-8 probably being the easiest, and the RV-6 possibly being the worst. But "worst" is only by relative to the model line, and even the -6 has good over the nose visibility.

[Mile High Relic]

Originally Posted by Bob Axsom

Does this thread in it's many forms ever make a difference in a builder's selection?

I think it does. I was a buyer, not a builder, but this sort of thread a few years ago convinced me that I would be willing to buy either, depending on what came along. I actually had a purchase agreement in place on a 6A, but ultimately that didn't go through, and I now have a 6 in my hangar.

[NickAir]

[quote=wera710;635078]The problem with Taildraggers is that in the 1960s I think many instructors and even more Magazine Writers simply FORGOT what their feet were for...so TDs got a bad rap.
Base the choice SOLEY on how you will ultimately USE the aircraft.

It just comes down to what you want to do with the thing. The main advantage of a TD is the ability to land pretty much anywhere, from a big paved runways, to a wet grass field, or a grass field with tall grass that makes some tricycle guys cringe. If you have a desire to go to interesting back country fields, or grass stips, and don't want to worry about the front wheel pant, or shimmy, or structural issues with the nose gear, you may want to consider a TD. At the same time, if all you are ever going to do is local or X-country from one paved strip to the next, then either will work fine.

QUOTE]

Very nice write up. Comes across well.

[aussieflyer1]

Joe
If interested, I'm thinking of selling my QB RV6A with about 200hrs left to finish and fly her. Comes with new Lycom 0360 cert 0 hrs and Sensenich 83" new prop 0 hrs as well as a completed panel wiring ready to install. wings and controls painted and canopy tip up done ready for install and paint. Let me know if this works for you.
Alan
aussieflyer654@gmail.com

[Sig600]

Originally Posted by PerfTech

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

I like where this is going.... gigiddiy.

[DanBaier]

Suggestion:

Fly in a slider & tip up. Fly with a CS & FP prop. Fly nose & tail dragger. Build what you like.

Dan