cstolaircraft wrote:For all parties interested I finally got the courage up and tried the sand bars. First time around i flew over the spot about 5 times drug the sand at high speed flew over again to look at the marks then decided to land.... the sand was consistantly firm even the tailwheel stayed on top unless turning

Good for you....the real learning has begun! One thing I would suggest: Your initial "touch passes" don't need to be "fast". Just make a touch and go with slightly higher speed. It's actually easier to just feel the touch than get too hung up on speed. Just fly those passes art a comfortable speed to lightly run the tires on. Easier than it sounds and will improve all your landings.

Have fun..

MTV

I think I ran the first touches at about 70ish? what speed do you think works best? I figured with 70 I'd have plenty energy to get the tail down and start flying again if things were too soft.

After you've dragged the area you want to land, and you think it's probably okay, land the exact same place you dragged, DON"T USE THE BRAKES, and once the plane has come to a stop get out and walk where you want to taxi.

In the picture below I did not do that, I taxied to an area I hadn't dragged AND I just lightly touched the left brake to turn the plane around to take off and I penetrated. Lucky the plane was going less then walking speed or I would have gone up on the nose. I shut down, got out and first step sunk to my crotch - right next to where the tires are. And they are 35's. They could support the weight of the plane but my feet could not support my weight. Lesson learned (well mostly).

Barnstormer wrote:After you've dragged the area you want to land, and you think it's probably okay, land the exact same place you dragged, DON"T USE THE BRAKES, and once the plane has come to a stop get out and walk where you want to taxi.

In the picture below I did not do that, I taxied to an area I hadn't dragged AND I just lightly touched the left brake to turn the plane around to take off and I penetrated. Lucky the plane was going less then walking speed or I would have gone up on the nose. I shut down, got out and first step sunk to my crotch - right next to where the tires are. And they are 35's. They could support the weight of the plane but my feet could not support my weight. Lesson learned (well mostly).

looks pretty wet?

cstolaircraft wrote:looks pretty wet?

It was completely underwater the day before [emoji851]


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Come over to 2H2 and I will teach you how to hover taxi. It will give you time to take a good look when there are no obstacles.

Barnstormer wrote:

cstolaircraft wrote:looks pretty wet?

It was completely underwater the day before [emoji851]


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Some would call that a "clue".

MTV

mtv wrote:

Barnstormer wrote:

cstolaircraft wrote:looks pretty wet?

It was completely underwater the day before [emoji851]


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Some would call that a "clue".

MTV

You know I've wondered about that myself, the clue part I mean. But you see...I think there might be a character flaw at work here cause well... when I see a place I just know has probably never been landed on before, well... it just overs comes me and I have to land there. It's not my fault really. Kinda like when the Cook Inlet had a super low tide and the bottom of the ocean appeared. I just couldn't help myself, before I knew it, it just happened.

On the Mississippi, never use the brakes for any reason whatever, and never land on sand that has been recently under water or looks damp. Avoid puddles like the plague. Since I land using 8.0x4 tires, I always landed on the high, dry, powdery stuff. When I needed brakes, I combined a pop of the throttle with full up elevator and a wiggle of the rudder to cause the tailwheel to dig in and plow me to a stop. Hard on bearings, but they are replaceable.