Thumbs up for a Tail dragger or three axes

[Bennie Vorster]

Help me out here. Thumbs up for a Tail dragger or three axis.

What is the pro's and cons of the two?

[GR8-DAD]

Howdi B, you should ask RV4, he likes them Taildraggers more than the TRI-GEAR aeries and should be able to answer this in all honesty.

I only flew in taildragger couple of times, visibility when taxiing is very k@k and landing mistakes are not forgiven that easily Also maybe Junkie, he's been practicing the taidraggers a bit.

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Taildraggers get my vote, but they can bite. X winds are a bitch. RV is not a problem and have landed in more than 25kts X wind component. The Cubby does not like x winds at all.

Be carefull not to rely on what your hear. Go out there and test them yourself. I was close to giving up on the tailie (cubby). Could just not get the feel. I then pitched for a flight in my steel tipped construction site boots which were too big to fit between the brakes and seat and had to fly in my socks. Hey presto. Now my Cubby pre flight includes removal of shoes and never looked back..... (I battled more with take off's than landings strangely. Something to do with VW motor and prop turning the wrong way. Instinct too over and I would go further into the bushes rather than down the runway)

PS
I think the little wheel aeries are sexy as hell and if you don't get excited by your aerie why bother. I am like a kid with a new toy every time I see the RV. It was recommended that I go RVxA (nose wheel) as I had zero tail wheel hrs when I bought it. The tailwheel just does it for me. Personal pref. Training will sort you out, but a light high wing tailie will be a handfull in X wind. That said most have stol capability and could safely land on the taxi way or across the runway if the wind is that strong just get help to hold it down once on ground.... he he he he

Have fun and fly as many as you can.

PPS
The Oribi is a nice (cheap) tri gear that can go where many tailies would not.

[Junkie]

Tailies rule dude!!

.. they taste so good caus they look so good and they fly so good .. just do yourself a flavour an go surf the net and check em out

Husky, Savage, Cub, RV, Citabria, Spitfire, Dac, Lancaster , ..... ahh the list is endless ...thank lord thank you for the perfect machine :D :D :D

[Morph]

Yes very very pretty,

Painful bite as they say,

I would rather err on the side of caution and stay on Tricycle undercarraige.

Both fly just as well, but the Tricycle versions are easier to manage on the takeoffs and landings.

[Junkie]

.... the calming voice of reason to temper the oblivious rantings of a madman :D

Yes Morhpman is so right




but darn the trikes fo get to be so boring after a while.....said the grootbek

[FAWGie]

Apart from personal preferrences, both types have their place as well as pros and cons....

If you are a low hour pilot, then I would recommend nosewheel config as the taildragger bites pretty fast if you are not well 'ahead' of the aircraft. Taildraggers are also more difficult to ground handle in windy conditions.

If the plane is a classic or replica classic then it's nice to see it in taildragger form, but modern aircraft are mostly "nosewheel" type....

Some will say that the taildragger can operate from rougher terrain than tricycle U/C, but I beg to differ...The Savannah (tricycle) for example can handle far rougher ground than my RV4 (Taildragger).....

At the end of the day, it's really your personal choice that should count....

[Junkie]

I think the FAWG's got it taped... an I know that tailie can bite, even after a couple of hours in the patteren and you think you got it taped... think again, NEVER let your guard down

Rough terrain handling comes with the ability of the machine and pilot to get it in firmly and slow (Savannah sure can do) - tailies sure can make for teeth rattling manuevering on rough ground
I guess you should never land on a field you are not very sure about with either, unless of course you have too

I saw the Stearman at FAFK yesterday -- aaaaaaahhhhhhhhh
...... you guessed it, forgot all about my earlier woes.