Taildragger vs noseweels

[AJW]

I am sure this must have been discussed before, so please refer me to that if you can.

Otherwise, spill the beens please...........

If you can choose between the two for general flying, mainly fun, bit cross country, mainly from tar runways, which one will you choose And why, off course.

I have never flown in taildragger before, will it help to try to do a conversion first to decide for myself? How long will it take me?

Then, what is wrong with a Bush Baby?

Thanks.

[Flooi]

Taildraggers are not more "difficult": Technique is just different. Most of my hours are on
taildraggersand you get so used to it. The advantage is that you can get in and out of short dirt
strips that much easier. Also a taildragger's prop is more protected from nicks from the runway.

It will take you about 3 - 6 hours for conversion - depending on yourself.

Bushbaby is fine. Many flying and they hold their value - Depending on engine and who built it.

[AJW]

If had a choice to buy now, will you go taildragger? Is it, " once a taildragger, always one"? Thus, prefer pilots to fly one if they can choose?

[RV4ker (RIP)]

I like tailies, but just beacuse they look right. I have flown a couple and they are more demanding, mainly on the ground. If I had the choice I would go for a tailie. They are fun and easy to fly. Some are not so easy to taxi, but all easy to fly

[Abe]

Hi Fliers, Neither!
For fixed wing aircraft, main wheels on CG is the best of both worlds.
Small wheel at front, no need to be steerable, small wheel or skid at the rear.
Pick up front wheel on brake release, run at zero AOA on mains keeping aircraft level over undulating runway with elevator, steer with rudder and no stress about rotating, just liftoff at flying speed.
On landing there is no need to align, aircraft will sideslip without danger of groundloop or scooting off runway, keep nosewheel off till aligned and safe, then put down nosewheel by braking.
Works for me.
FlySafe!
Abe.

[Boet]

I feel priveleged, for I fly both, and enjoy both tremendously. BUT, for everyday flying would rather prefer the nosewheel route..... Then on the other hand: BOY, she looks so cool with that taily.....

[RV4ker (RIP)]

On bottom pic you could put a small trolley wheel and be like ABE...

Give me little wheel anyday, but agree if you not fly regularly then nose dragger is maybe cheaper (insurance, oopsies and ego). The Meercat still excites me every time I see her. Have a look at pics of Dim. Which 1 looks right.

[Boet]

both

[KFA]

Did my taily conversion, two days ago. Man, what a feeling. I nailed it by the second landing and did four unaided after that. Do not lend your ears out to the so called experts. OK. I must add that I knew the aircraft very well and had no pressure from the flying and handling side. I am now a fully converted Taily man. From now on it's what I will fly. They looks so much sexier.

[Boet]

Mooi man, en baie geluk. Nou waaroor was al die fuss?

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Congrats.. Welcome to the small wheel side. AWESOME. Check on here. There is a vid of some wheeler playing on 1 wheel. Lekka.

PS
Boet.
Are you sure you looking at both pics and not just the taillie pic 2x...

[RudiGreyling]

Generally speaking,

Taildragger needs more skill and hence make better pilots, more intune with wind/weather and aircraft response.
You might pay more in training, or even have an incident to get to that skill level though

Nosewheel is easier and don't demand a higher level of skill, hence insurance is easier.

Taillies generally look better.

The Safest route is nosewheel, no respect loss for nosewheels pilots. You decide.
If you want to be a better pilot more in tune with your craft, then taily is your route.

A nosewheel pilot cannot appreciate tailwheel pilot and vica versa and there the devide will stay.

Regards
Rudi

[Frequent Flyer]

Congrats KFA,I eventually got back into the seat (a weak ago) after a unfortunate "loopy" after a landing (3/4 months ago)- verry excited none the less. I bought a tailie without having any tailie experience, and man oh man, a tailie looks sweet! - a real "love / hate" relationship at this stage! No flying yet, only ground maneuvering allowed until inst is happy with progress.

[Boet]

Tailies are easy to fly. The problem is too much macho ouvroustories doing the rounds about taking super-human effort to fly the beast. BS. The poor ok`e that have to learn to fly the beast is usually so phsyced out, he`s got only one thing on his mind: JY MOET TAP DANCE DAT DIE KAK WITSIT ANDERS YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE BEEEG ACCIDENT FO SU. More BS. Ground handling of the taily is like being in the army. You do not speak unless spaken unto. If the aerie does not do anything, you dont do anything. Do not give a boot full when only a tap is sufficient. Bootfulls is what normally leads to exitement.
The taily is different to taxi. You taxi straight, but want to turn ....right. Tap right, and level rudder pedals. Aerie now turning right, and will keep on turning right, untill you tap left pedal and arrest and stop the turn initiate a turn in the opposite direction. A GE#NTLE occupation. NO need for tap dancing. Be gentle on the rudders. You might break a rudder pedal off or prain something in yourself. RELAX Hombre, sit back and smile, you are now a taildragger pilot. Now you can tel your own ouvroumatchotailipilotkakstorie and scare the living daylights out of the next generation of upcoming taily pilots.

[RudiGreyling]

Insurance look at statistics, they don't lie, hence premium on talie is higher, so they must be more difficult to fly/control...generaly speaking!