Rick6a
Well Known Member
As you probably know by now, Senator Jim Inhofe, flying his RV-8 suffered an unfortunate incident. Thankfully as it turns out, it was more embarrassing and costly an experience than anything else.
I'm not a taildragger pilot but I will eventually be one. And as an RV-8 builder, I am leaning towards not (eventually) installing rudder "pedals" for the backseater.
Without being judgmental or jumping to knee jerk conclusions, I address my thoughts to experienced tail wheel pilots out there: What do you make of these comments?
"Everything was fine until the tail wheel hit the runway," he said.
"Jim felt like his rudder control was not what it should have been, so
it was mechanical, certainly. As soon as we hit, we fish-tailed and
spun around a couple of times. "
What are the possibilites? Does anyone know what the true wind conditions and runway alignment were that day? Is it mechanically possible for the tailwheel to malfunction? Could interference by a back seat passenger block deft application of rudder or could its optional rear seat installation somehow jam?
I'm not a taildragger pilot but I will eventually be one. And as an RV-8 builder, I am leaning towards not (eventually) installing rudder "pedals" for the backseater.
Without being judgmental or jumping to knee jerk conclusions, I address my thoughts to experienced tail wheel pilots out there: What do you make of these comments?
"Everything was fine until the tail wheel hit the runway," he said.
"Jim felt like his rudder control was not what it should have been, so
it was mechanical, certainly. As soon as we hit, we fish-tailed and
spun around a couple of times. "
What are the possibilites? Does anyone know what the true wind conditions and runway alignment were that day? Is it mechanically possible for the tailwheel to malfunction? Could interference by a back seat passenger block deft application of rudder or could its optional rear seat installation somehow jam?