Taildragger Conversion - Reasonable Rates

[waynepowell]

Hi All,

Would anyone be able to assist me with finding a taildragger in the greater Gauteng area that I can do my initial-tail on? If need be I would be willing to travel further.

I have done my research and these things are like hen's teeth and unfortunately when you DO find one, the rates are ridiculous because of that very reason.
I am not fussy on what type of aerie it is (Cheetah, KitFox, Cubby etc) but I need to get a taildragger on my license as soon as possible as I am looking to acquire an aircraft that is a taily - but before I can go any further I need a "similar type" on my license.

I am quite willing to do an extensive course on one, as required by the ATO - I don't wish to cut any corners or anything, but I think it's unreasonable to pay a C182 rate on something that's made of cloth and tupperware with a Rotax engine in, just because it has a wheel coming out of it's arse and not it's nose.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

[KFA]

Hi Wayne,
We specialize in Tailwheel training. Unfortunate we are in Komatipoort but we have good accomodation available for R200/night. www.fun2fly.co.za or give me a buzz 082 six zero 1 8970.
Regards
Stefan

[justin.schoeman]

Lsat.Co.Za at rhino park will have a taildragger for instruction soon...

[Goose]

Hi All,
I don't wish to cut any corners or anything, but I think it's unreasonable to pay a C182 rate on something that's made of cloth and tupperware with a Rotax engine in, just because it has a wheel coming out of it's arse and not it's nose.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

That thing made of cloth and Tupperware with a Rotax in front and wheel in its arse WILL cost TWICE as much as the C182 to insure. And even more if it is used for training. That makes the deference in the cost

Contact Stefan at Kitplanes in Komatipoort

[thys bas]

I agree with Goose.

And WHY, you may ask? Why are there no tail wheel aircraft in the 'normal' flight schools? Why is it so difficult to get tail wheel training? Why are there so few tail wheel instructors? Why does it take MUCH longer to get your license on a tail wheel aircraft?

Why can you not get your aircraft first and then learn to fly the thing at lower cost? or, go do your license on a nose wheel first, then do conversion to tail wheel which should take you only 10 to 15 hours stick time, depending on type and time per week you spend in the aircraft. Please do yourself a favor and do not fly once a month, then you will be wasting your time. Same, do not make your lessons longer than 1.5 hrs each and no more than two per day.

Six weeks and no flying? don't even think about it! You will be reminded of your slackness at your first next flight

But, it is worth all the trouble to get your tail wheel license. It forces you to fly every second weekend and keeps you on your toes all the time.

[KFA]

Just a correction thys bas. It only takes about 3-5 hrs more to do your license on a tailwheel. We find that most guys that start on a tailwheel are non the wiser and they hardly show signs of knowing the difference. It is the guys that arrive with a preconceived idea that the tailwheel is difficult to learn that keeps my cashflow going.....

[microlightadventures]

I have one at Petit.....Cheetah 912 Extra.....what would you then like to pay for your training in this tupperware aerie??? which flies like the real thing ????Unfortunately they do costs a lot to maintain in this catagory and they are more expensive than the 185's to ensure et.et.et.....will help if i can....Andy...0826517317

[Renegade2]

I did my tail dragger conversion with Andy last year, and would recommend both the instruction and the Cheetah to anyone wishing to do the conversion.

Before I started the training, I was extremely nervous, because of all the stories I had heard about how difficult tail draggers can be. Within the first hour, I made a couple of acceptable landings – both 3 point and wheeler landings. Cheetahs do nice wheel landings by the way in spite of what you may have heard. Granted – I had over 100 hours in a tricycle gear Cheetah when I started the conversion and there was absolutely no wind, but it was not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. The next time out with more wind was not so easy, and it takes a while to get the hang of it, but the first hour was a huge confidence boost. I now have the Murphy Renegade on my license too. I am very glad I started on the Cheetah though for 3 reasons. The Cheetah has an enclosed cockpit with side by side seating which makes understanding the instructor a lot easier. You can see over the nose – even in the three point attitude. It is fairly directionally stable on the ground which means you can be a bit slower in you reactions and still get away with it.

Tail draggers are enormous fun, and the training is good for sharpening up your skills, even if you don’t intend to move on to tail draggers permanently.