Hello All,

I searched the forum but was unable to find any specific topics that answer my questions. I hope I'm posting this in the correct spot.

I'm from Belle Fourche, SD and I'm interested in getting my fixed wing rating in a conventional gear plane. I currently have a Commercial Instrument Rotor Wing and have close to 2000 hrs in helicopters but have 0 time in airplanes. I'm looking for an experienced tail wheel instructor but haven't had any luck so far. I'm not apposed to traveling if someone knows of a good instructor near me.

I'm also looking to pick up a good time builder a/c. The primary mission will be commuting 250nm to my current job in North Dakota but I would also like to be able to land at the grass strip at my parents ranch. I've been looking at the Stinsons. They seem like an affordable "4 seat" that would fit my mission fairly well. I wouldn't mind a little faster cruise speed but it's not a deal breaker. I'm looking to stay in the Mid 30's or below.

I've also looked at C-170s but they seem like you have to spend a pretty penny to get a decent lower time one.

This forum seems to have a wealth of experience and knowledge. I look forward to hearing what you guys think.

Thanks,

Pat

How far are you from Madison? This shows Riggins Flying Service.

https://www.backcountrypilot.org/knowle ... ctors-list

Morris Rigging is a good one, with a lot of experience as a sprayer. He also used to fly a Stearman in the Red Baron Air Show act.

Morris had a Super Cub, a Call Air sprayer and he used to have a Stearman for dual instruction as well.

MTV

BH,

I'm a rotary/fixed wing guy and started in helo's. I got my AMEL transition in the military so I can't help with that, but I got my ASEL and TD endorsement on the civilian side so I can help with those questions. What's your rotary platform? Depending on how much you use your feet in that, the conventional gear part will be easy. Then it's really just a matter of learning stalls and slow flight, take-off and landing.

And don't overlook the Pacer for value in a TD airplane.

Pat,

You sound like an Army aviator. Send me your e-mail address and I will reply and attach "Safe Maneuvering Flight Techniques." It covers some things you may have covered in NOE training and I use the apparent rate of closure approach in airplanes as well. Get with an instructor on that stuff, Rigging sounds like a good one. MTV is a good one.

Welcome,

Jim Dulin
[email protected]
417-830-0638

I can't help with the instructor part, but I would second the Pacer suggestion. I got my license in our family Pacer, just try to find an instructor that is comfortable in Shortwing Pipers. There's plenty of information on this site concerning the Pacer vs C-170 vs Stinson debate.

Thanks guys. A lot of responses already. Madison is on the other end of the state but maybe I could make it work this winter. I'll have to get hold of him.

CamTom12 wrote:BH,

I'm a rotary/fixed wing guy and started in helo's. I got my AMEL transition in the military so I can't help with that, but I got my ASEL and TD endorsement on the civilian side so I can help with those questions. What's your rotary platform? Depending on how much you use your feet in that, the conventional gear part will be easy. Then it's really just a matter of learning stalls and slow flight, take-off and landing.

And don't overlook the Pacer for value in a TD airplane.

I primarily fly the 206BIII and 500d on the civilian side and the Black Hawk on the military side. The Black Hawk will not help me with foot work (I rarely have my feet on the pedals) but hopefully the 206 and 500 will help a little.

After a little more searching, I did find a lot of info on Stinson vs 170 vs Pacer. Sorry for the redundant post.

BHbackcountry,
I am in north central MN and there are a couple guys over this way but it may be a little far for your travels.
Sending you a PM on a plane for sale.
Keith

BHbackcountry wrote:I primarily fly the 206BIII and 500d on the civilian side and the Black Hawk on the military side. The Black Hawk will not help me with foot work (I rarely have my feet on the pedals) but hopefully the 206 and 500 will help a little.

After a little more searching, I did find a lot of info on Stinson vs 170 vs Pacer. Sorry for the redundant post.

You'd be surprised, a friend of mine that's a blackhawk (only) pilot got his TD endorsement in 4 hours.

If that model is a non-augmented 206 you'll be especially golden, but I wouldn't worry too much either way. I'm a 58D guy and it took me a whopping 3 hours for my TD endorsement.

Don't tell anybody, but Army helicopter pilots make good TD airplane pilots. I was TD airplane before the Army. When I was trying to knock the little stinger off the TH-55 in autorotation touchdown, my instructor (an ex airplane crop duster) would yell, "Wheel landing God dammit."

Pat, welcome here.

You might contact Ray, at Eagle Aviation just down the road in Spearfish; he's got a REALLY nice Supercub, and hosted one of the pre-"National Bushwheels Awareness Week" fly-in/shoot-out events at an undisclosed location somewhere near there in June. Don't know if he does any TW transition training, but a very knowledgeable guy, would know who does.

And there's a Black Hills fly-in at Hulett, WY September 11-14, should be lots of backcountry type flyouts. Sorry link not handy, organiser is out of Hot Springs. Might be a good place to do some networking.

Hope this helps.

Thanks. cubscout

I did manage to find a few gentlemen in the area with tailwheel experience today. One guy is 72 and has been flying his whole life. The problem is he can't get a class 3 medical. He has a PA-11 LSA that he instructs out of. I'm currently researching weather or not I can get my Private from a Light Sport CFI in a LSA aircraft? Anyone ever come across a situation like this? Maybe it's common place, I'm new to the whole civilian flight training thing.

cubscout wrote:Pat, welcome here.

You might contact Ray, at Eagle Aviation just down the road in Spearfish; he's got a REALLY nice Supercub, and hosted one of the pre-"National Bushwheels Awareness Week" fly-in/shoot-out events at an undisclosed location somewhere near there in June. Don't know if he does any TW transition training, but a very knowledgeable guy, would know who does.

And there's a Black Hills fly-in at Hulett, WY September 11-14, should be lots of backcountry type flyouts. Sorry link not handy, organiser is out of Hot Springs. Might be a good place to do some networking.

Hope this helps.

Thanks. cubscout

I spoke with a CFI at eagle but I think his name was Jason. I'll have to call back and ask for Ray.

Thanks!

Pat,

I chose not to go for a waiver after I lost an eye when my windscreen blew out of a pipeline plane. I prepped pilots for tw in LSA T-craft or Luscombe and then had another instructor fly with them and sign them off.

Jim

BHbackcountry wrote: I'm currently researching weather or not I can get my Private from a Light Sport CFI in a LSA aircraft?

no you can't get a private with CFI-SP in a LSA , but if it's a CFI-P in a LSA you can.

BHb,

if its not too far, Rick of Montana by Air .com is in Cutbank MT with 235 and 160hp Maules. He will even come to you or you can go there and he'll put you through the paces in wind, off field, you name it, and youll get intro to higher or lower hp Maule taildraggers.