Tailwheel Fun!

My tailwheel training began in a Rans S6 Coyote with my first solo being almost a year ago. The S6 is so fun to fly and landing is pretty easy compared to other conventional gear aircraft (from what I've heard). My instructor and friend Ron Miller did my training, being a great choice from his thousands of hours of tailwheel experience.

Their are a few things I quickly learned are important during take off and landing phases of flight. The first being that coordination is key. For a quality wheel landing (landing on the mains only), I found that rudder control must be slight and quick, almost as like you are dancing on the pedals. Large deflections of rudder are your enemy! In the Rans, I would shoot final anywhere from 50-60. By having a relatively slow final approach speed, the Rans was a great trainer.

On to some videos...

Not the best video, but better than nothing!

As well as flying the Rans, I also have a significant amount of my flight time in a Vans RV-8. The RV-8 is slick, fast and quite agile. Unlike the Rans, this plane is a handful during the take off and landing phases of flight. Shooting final at about 90 (MPH) with touchdown around 80, this plane really took a test on my measly skills. I do not have any videos, but heres a few pictures...

To anyone interested in exploring other types of flying, it doesn't get much more exciting than learning to fly conventional gear!