MARZ Posted January 27, 2013 Report Posted January 27, 2013 Spent some time with the "other woman" today changing out the cam locks on the cowling and such - such a pretty day I wanted (needed) to fly but I had my cowling apart in various stages. I hanger at Texas Taildraggers and the Citabria had just come in. I've wanted to go up in a taildragger - so I took an hour pause and went up in the pattern with the CFI. WOW - it was like I've never sat in a plane before let alone fly one. Flying with a stick was a trip, the little fabric plane jumps into the air and is oh so unforgiving. That said - I've got the bug and am going to master that little plane and get a taildragger endorsement. I know for a fact it will make me pay attention to the rudder control in my Mooney...... Quote
Dave Marten Posted January 27, 2013 Report Posted January 27, 2013 Great choice...It'll make you a better pilot. Good to invest in the most vital part of your Mooney, YOU! More of us should really spend increasing our pilot skills. Enjoy! Quote
N9660M Posted January 27, 2013 Report Posted January 27, 2013 Good idea, Mike. Forces a pilot to drop the bad habits that we can get away with in a tricycle gear airplane and learn to land the right way. You can also do some loops, snap rolls, and other basic aerobatics in that Citabria so long as they have parachutes for you and the CFI. Recommend grabbing a copy of "The Compleat Taildragger Pilot" by Harvey Plourde. Fly safe and have fun - Jim Quote
201er Posted January 27, 2013 Report Posted January 27, 2013 I started flying tail draggers so getting in the Mooney was all fancy. Once you actually know how to fly, it seems to apply to anything! Quote
Jeff_S Posted January 27, 2013 Report Posted January 27, 2013 My first time in a tail dragger was in an authentic Aeronca Champ. It was a great experience and taught me the hell of heel brakes, but it was fun to fly. Yes, you had to use rudder to make turns but the engine wasn't powerful enough to cause much trouble in the takeoff phase. Two years later I was in an intro to aerobatics course in a Super Decathlon. Figuring this was just a grown-up Champ I didn't take into account a much more powerful engine and the p-factor and gyroscopic perception that would ensue, and on my first takeoff I nearly ran that thing off the left side of the runway! The instructor, being very experienced at this, was ready and helped get us back on track with aplomb. That was an eye opener though! Quote
gjkirsch Posted January 27, 2013 Report Posted January 27, 2013 I got my taildragger endorsement a couple of years ago. Never realized how bad of a pilot I was. I think the instructor signed me off before I damaged his plane beyond repair A lot of fun and it really teaches you to think all the way through each take off and landing. Quote
bd32322 Posted January 27, 2013 Report Posted January 27, 2013 I would recommend an aerobatics course for pure fun ... And since they will almost always be taildraggers, you will end up getting that endorsement regardless. I am fortunate to have access to a rental extra and super decathlon 20 minutes from my home. Quote
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