But in the event you do go for a ride, what's the best thing to do?
Lie about it....
liked that one.........but....
I like to say that there are only two kind of pilots around.
The ones who already did a ground loop, and the ones who will do one sooner or later. There is no third kind....
I dislike this type of quote.. just like the two types of people who gear up landing.. I call BS. I would say there are two types of pilots, proficient professional pilots and all the other ones..
Ummm...pretty sure Peter understands "proficient professional".
https://inspire.eaa.org/2021/10/13/airventure-2021-a-full-circle-experience-for-luftwaffe-pilot/
I would say there are two types of pilots, proficient professional pilots and all the other ones..
Put it on straight and it will keep going that way!
Different airplanes require different techniques. The Stearman is a special case. Narrow gear, very high center of gravity, three point attitude is a very high pitch angle. VERY weak ailerons with the stock wings. Only viable option in much crosswind is wheel landing and keeping the tail up as long as possible. Any other technique and you will sooner rather than later watch the upwind wing lift with full aileron into the wind, the airplane then goes up on one wheel and its all over. With the good brakes, which not all Stearmans have, the airplane can be stopped with the tail in the air.
I like to say that there are only two kind of pilots around.
The ones who already did a ground loop, and the ones who will do one sooner or later. There is no third kind....
Lie about it....
I got my tailwheel endorsement in a Stinson with no right side brakes; while my instructor was showing me s-turns on the ground he lost it and yelled "DON'T TOUCH THE BRAKES". we spun around maybe 270 degrees but were slow enough we were never in danger of tipping.
All that to say, at least per my instructor "DON'T TOUCH THE BRAKES!!!"
ETA: this is after the ground loop is imminent, I agree with others that you should use opposite brake to prevent a ground loop while still making forward progress. once the tail is coming around, I feel adding brakes will increases the chance of tipping and scraping a wing or worse.
...
I'm not saying it will happen to everyone, but if you don't think it can happen to you....well, good luck with that.
Try to stop the ground loop and fight it all the way! If it’s going left, I would use full right rudder, right brake, left aileron, and full power. The power may provide the necessary airflow over the tail to prevent it. Plus if you can get it airborne, you are no longer a tailwheel aircraft and can just fly it away.
It's difficult to apply the same correction to every situation. My understanding is with the center of gravity behind the mains (where the braking power will be applied) and tail authority already lost with momentum swinging the tail forward, applying brakes will only assist the momentum of the weight and tail swinging forward.
liked that one.........but....
I like to say that there are only two kind of pilots around.
The ones who already did a ground loop, and the ones who will do one sooner or later. There is no third kind....
besides that, if you are beyond the recovery point and going for a ride, i would pull mixture cut off, get on the brakes (not full but firm) and pull the stick.
i would try to safe the engine from a prop strike, decrease energy and hope for a god outcome.
I disagree with the old adage about two kinds of pilots. To me it’s a cop out. There is absolutely no reason you shouldn’t be able to fly tailwheels for your entire life without ever even getting close to ground looping much less actually doing it. I’ve had 55 years flying tailwheels and instructing in them without even coming close to ground looping and I have several friends who are in the same position. Set your standards higher.
Anyone remember Sean Tucker or Kyle Franklin making 90 degree turns taxiing with the tail in the air??
What kinda airplanes?? Pitts??
Anyone remember Sean Tucker or Kyle Franklin making 90 degree turns taxiing with the tail in the air??