Originally Posted by
j1b3h0
...In the Bay Area, there are a few Pitts to rent for upward of $230hr. Extras are well over $300. These airplanes are great fun but are a little like taking drivers training in a Turbo Porsche.
Cost won't be the driving factor for me. I just thought that if taildragging was that important early on, why not do it in something that can really drag some tail - if you know what I mean, LOL!
From what I read, taildraggers can sometimes end up in a ground-loop after a sideways landing, because the pilot allows the rotation around the CG to continue to long a period of time, causing the moment of inertia to rapidly place the entire aircraft on one wing with a huge repair bill as a result.
Originally Posted by
j1b3h0
...There are some good nosewheel only type pilots, too, but the tailwheel folks have developed a whole new level of centerline consciousness.
That's what I read Barry Schiff talking about recently. He talked about poor taildraggers and how they allow the conditions for ground-looping to become a problem, too.
Originally Posted by
j1b3h0
...To the cogniscenti, a really strong crosswind it's actually EASIER to land a Citabria than a 152, due to the taildragger's superior control authority. I landed a Citabria in a 30kt. direct xwind. Much harder in a 152.
See, now, that's where you and Barry part company, I guess. Barry tends to think that draggers are harder to control near the ground given their desire to constantly seek the downwind side of the prevailing wind. So, the more X-wnd component [he says] the more attention you have to pay to the tailwheel airframe.
What do you have to say about this?