Maybe someday I'll grow up and fly a plane with that cute little wheel on the tail cone

OK, the after action report...1.4 hours in a 115hp PA18 w/ tundra tires.

There were several first times today.

1. Fly something other than a Cessna 172.
2. Stick
3. Plane without an electrical system.
4. Tundra Tires

You guys were right. Crack don’t smoke itself. That was addicting.

Weather was perfect. Temp in the 20’s and the wind was out of the west at 5 knots. We did a review of the systems and the preflight in the heated hanger. Pulled the plane out and the instructor hand propped the airplane. Wow! Put your student in a different plane and go stand around front and tug on that thing that spins really fast. Brave or dense?

Got her started, warmed up and loaded up. I taxied to the run-up area, did the run-up and set us up for the takeoff. Instructor did the take-off with me just feeling the controls. After we were off the ground but still on the runway heading I took the plane and flew us up to the practice area.

Some S turns, turns-around-a-point and some stalls to get the feel of her. Best description of the plane, a Triumph Spitfire. Not much for speed, but it loves to turn. As my first instructor use to say, “You can’t fight if you can’t turn tight”. Stalls were mushes.

We went to a snow/ice covered grass strip. I set the plane up on downwind and the instructor demonstrated the first landing. I taxied us back and now it was my turn. Stick straight back; throttle forward; release backpressure, tail up; add just a touch of back pressure and we are up and off.

We went on to do 5 more landings on the grass and one more on the home base asphalt. All three points. No flaps. Fun! Fun! Fun! I would rate the second to the last rating on the grass/ice/snow at a 9.5. Should have headed back on a good note. On the fifth landing I flared just a touch too high. You have to love those tundra tires. Your plane can quit flying while you are still too high in the air and you hardly feel it with those balloons underneath. Still fun.

Two more observations;

The hardest part of flying a stick for me was the right hand. I am left-handed for most things. Learning to use the left on the yoke and the right on the throttle in a 172 was a natural. This will take some getting use to.

When you have flared and waiting for the plane to quit flying the rudder gives it away. Just before she is done the amount of pressure to hold the rubber back relaxes and the plane settles down. Neat.

Bushwagon – Low time? - I am at about 75 hours as PIC

Mike B – I was told to not use the brakes unless I needed to stop. Clearance to taxi, run-up and back at the hangar. Turns were done with the throttle, rudder and steerable tail wheel.

Larry – I have Sparky Imeson's "Taildragger Tactics" and am in the process of rereading it. I have also ordered “The Compleat Taildragger by Harvey S. Plourde on a recommendation of my pilot mentor.

The wish list gets longer.

I have the next lesson scheduled for two weeks. Will follow-up. Thanks for the advice.

Picked up a Rans S-7LS at the factory last Monday. Have 650 hours in tri gears and thought I'd give this a try. I'm addicted already even though I'm still struggling to keep it straight on roll out. I'm sure I'll get it and am loving it. Now what do I do with my tri-gear?

Arnold

I think it was Gene that said "fly it till ya tie it". The man knows of what he speaks. I bought a 180hp Pacer(PA22/20) with zero taildragger time under my belt. Yes I ground looped it. Not bad, but embarrassing. 20 hours, got cocky and forgot where I was. I've got a C180 now and wouldn't own anything but a dragger. I've got about 400 hours of tailwheel time, and there are still times my palms get a little sweatty. I think that's why I love it. Never gets boring.

submoa

submoa wrote:.... I bought a 180hp Pacer(PA22/20) with zero taildragger time under my belt....

That musta been a pretty good performer. Thought about buying one of those myself.