Easy/Hard to Taxi?

future-RV-owner · #1 06-24-2006, 10:25 PM

Silly question, but I am a 5000TT, ATP/MEI, with two turbine types, and looking to buy a already-made RV-7 or RV-8.

WIth that said, I have ZERO tail wheel time.

Can a tricycle driver like myself learn?

thanks

Ted Farmin · #2 06-24-2006, 11:18 PM

You sure can but it is a must to get dual in say a Citabria or similar type.
I have heard of airline pilots who learned in a taildragger then spent 30,000
hours in airliners and it took them 10 hours of dual to be able to handle
a tail wheel.

Ted with the bionic leg

Wiring the Dynon etc.
RV4

penguin · #3 06-25-2006, 07:22 AM

Yes you can, its not difficult, just different. Alternatively you could buy at 7A or 8A.

Pete

dan · #4 06-25-2006, 07:36 AM

Why not start by getting your tailwheel endorsement? That right there should give you an indication of whether you (a) enjoy flying the taildragger and (b) are up for the challenge. Take rides in straight & "A" model RVs and then decide.

The tailwheel RV is trivial as long as you stay ahead of it (which holds true regardless of where the 3rd wheel is). Not to mention it's easier & less expensive to maintain (removing the lower cowl, one fewer gear leg fairing/wheel pant/wheel/tire/tube), plus easier to move around, easier to load baggage, etc.

I'm not trying to start a tail vs. nose war, just trying to state the practical appeal of the tailwheel (because it's not as truly "practical" as an "A" model as a whole).

N713R · #5 06-25-2006, 08:26 AM

Taxiing a tailwheel airplane is all about the rudder pedals!! You have to get used to really using your feet. And as Dan said, it is manageable provided you stay ahead of it. I am a low time pilot, and don't yet have my TW endorsment, though I have some TW time. Just my experience.

rv8ch · #6 06-25-2006, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by future-RV-owner

Silly question, but I am a 5000TT, ATP/MEI, with two turbine types, and looking to buy a already-made RV-7 or RV-8.

WIth that said, I have ZERO tail wheel time.

Can a tricycle driver like myself learn?

I can guarantee that you are a better pilot than at least one person who has mastered the tailwheel.

Dgamble · #7 06-25-2006, 09:43 AM

I had 0 hours TW when I started transition training in my 6. For the first 5 hours, I was wondering what I had gotten myself into. For the second 5 hours, I grew increasingly eager to get the dead weight of the CFI out of my plane so I could see what an RV really flew like. 60 hours later, I limit myself to crosswinds under 15 knots, but other than that really don't think about it much anymore. Of course, I'm a superb pilot and YMMV.

Quote:

Originally Posted by future-RV-owner

Silly question, but I am a 5000TT, ATP/MEI, with two turbine types, and looking to buy a already-made RV-7 or RV-8.

WIth that said, I have ZERO tail wheel time.

Can a tricycle driver like myself learn?

thanks

bullojm1 · #8 06-25-2006, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by future-RV-owner

Silly question, but I am a 5000TT, ATP/MEI, with two turbine types, and looking to buy a already-made RV-7 or RV-8.

WIth that said, I have ZERO tail wheel time.

Can a tricycle driver like myself learn?

thanks

I only have about 110 hours of tri-gear only time and just started my tw training in a citabria. I found the first 3-4 hours frustrating (I almost didn't want to continue, not to mention heel brakes SUCK), but in the last 2 hours things started to click and my takeoff/landings are really smoothing out. Also, whenever I jump into my 172 I find myself landing a lot better. It definitely makes you a better pilot.

My advice is to get your tw endorcement. In the end, if you don't feel comfortable in it, then look at a -7/8A. There is no sense flying something that you are not comfortable in. For someone with your time, I think most schools require only 5 hours of tw training which at $150/hour (my price for plane + cfi) is only $750 wasted/gained. Thats a lot better than $60,000+ wasted!

briand · #9 06-25-2006, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by future-RV-owner

Silly question, but I am a 5000TT, ATP/MEI, with two turbine types, and looking to buy a already-made RV-7 or RV-8.

WIth that said, I have ZERO tail wheel time.

Can a tricycle driver like myself learn?

thanks

Just whatever you do DON'T push the stick foward!

TShort · #10 06-25-2006, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by briand

Just whatever you do DON'T push the stick foward!

That would be in the trigear plane, right?

There are lots of times that I use forward yoke (stick) in the 170 (wheel landings, getting the tail up on t/o, etc) but I would never do so in a nosewheel plane...

Thomas
-8 wings