Losing the training wheel.

[vigilant104]

I want to urge my fellow Trigear pilots to not look down their nose at those who continue to drag their tails. There are many pilots who simply cannot maser the trigear, and it should not be a source of ridicule or shame when these aviators do the prudent thing and revert to the "conventional" gear.
I recall the words of Chuck Yeager--"Yes, I was a combat flier, did pretty well in P-51s and in doing some testing of new airplanes. But I became a real pilot when I mastered the trigear. Lots of good P-51 pilots couldn't do it." (I'm pretty sure he wrote that, it might have been Bob Hoover).
When aviation made the jump from real "air fields" to "runways", the rationale for taildraggers fell away along with the ability to always take off and land with a headwind. The better, more flexible trigear was developed and aviation never looked back. But, as Art Scholl wrote "there were some guys who just couldn't "get" the trigear, could never master the higher available AoA on takeoff and landing. It's just hotter and more challenging. For those guys I'm glad we've still got the taildraggers with that nice, big triangular base. Some of these guys are still good pilots-- slower reflexes, sure, but nice guys. It would be a shame to lose them just because airplane design left them behind." (I think that was Art Scholl, maybe it was Jimmy Doolittle).
For those who take the small step back to the older taildragger form, the FAA helpfully mandates the additional remedial hours of instruction for the so-called "taildragger endorsement." Yes, the accident statistics and insurance rates give objective testimony to the continued troubles these pilots continue to have, but imagine how much worse the situation would be without the remedial training!
Sonex taildragger:
[img]



Sonex Trigear



Anyway, whether we choose to fly taildragger or trigear, the important part is the flying, not the 2% of the time we spend with the wheels on the ground.

(Tongue firmly in cheek)
Mark Waldron

[daleandee]

There are many pilots who simply cannot maser the trigear, and it should not be a source of ridicule or shame when these aviators do the prudent thing and revert to the "conventional" gear.

Mark Waldron

I guess I must admit my reasons for going to the tail dragger from the tri-gear ...

I figured that since I made John Monnett upset by hanging a Corvair engine on his aircraft design the least I could do is remove that offending appendage from the front that he doesn't like very much. Perhaps that will put me back, somewhat, into his good graces ...

8~)

Dale
N319WF
http://kitplanes2.com/blog/2013/12/ownerbuilder-2/

[Bryan Cotton]

It took me a little bit to convert to flying tricycle gear. When I was a kid my first landing in a C172 I managed to wheelbarrow it on. That was from 100 hours of mostly wheel landings. I did manage to put it on very straight, and very gentle, but it sure riled up the instructor. There were a few other things it took me a year to get used to that I didn't have before - flaps, side by side seating, artificial horizon and DG, radios that worked and so on. Regarding Mark's well written manifesto on not looking down on tailwheel pilots, a chief tow pilot in my first glider club flew Starfighters. He was also a big tailwheel guy. His personal airplane was a 172 though.

The conversion pictures look great! Keep them coming!

[fastj22]

She's a taildragger.
Installed the new mount and gear legs. Surprisingly, no mods to the firewall except plugging the nose wheel hole for the steering rod.

[Bryan Cotton]

Excellent!

[N111YX]

If I ever own an airplane with a nosewheel, it shall retract to be hidden from view thus saving I from embarrassment.

:D

[Bryan Cotton]

Quick, somebody get Kip one of those shirts!
I wonder if anybody has made a nosewheel Pitts. Could be unique.

[MichaelFarley56]

If I ever own an airplane with a nosewheel, it shall retract to be hidden from view thus saving I from embarrassment.

:D

I knew you were thinking SubSonex!! :mrgreen:

[N111YX]

You're on to me Mike.

And Bryan, I just threw up a little imaging the sight of a nosewheel equipped S-1.

Tonight, I will not sleep.

[fastj22]

Busy new years day.
Twas the day of the new year and all through the hangar,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The engine was hung from the new mount with care,
In hopes a flying Waiex soon would be there.

Seems my transformation to tail dragger is exceeding my ability to gain my endorsement.
Engine rehung. All probes re-attached to the RDAC.
Brakes installed and re-plumbed.
I haven't tried the cowl, I suspect it will be my nemesis.
Instructor returns from holiday this week. I hope weather holds to get my endorsement soon to follow.

Sorry, no pictures today.