kylerz123

Should I change my tricycle trainer to a taildragger? Some say it's better?

stang

My Feedback: (1)

I wouldn't bother with making the changes. If you want to try a tail dragger by all means go and buy one. A tail dragger is not "better", just a little different. A good pilot should be able to fly either type.

TedMo

Trikes are better on paved runway, tail dragger better on grass. Requires a slight bit of learning for taildragger but easily accomplished.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Read this:

Trikes Vs Taildraggers

jetmech05

Minn I read the article thank you....
There just aren't that many tricycle geared models out there...I like them on landings as you ride the mains down the runway doing aerodynamic breaking.....
But a tail dragger is a sweet 3 point landing.......
not harder or easier, different......taxi out on a tail dragger using full up elevator to keep the tail down.....don't forget to ease off before takeoff...
You can do it

mrbigg

My Feedback: (21)

Yes, you should. I always had problems with the nose gear on my trainer back in the day. I like it tons better with the taildragger setup.

carlosponti

My Feedback: (1)

I think you should not because i think its better but because then you can learn how to land on a tail dragger. its a normal progression of your skills as a pilot. I personally like tail draggers better. Its easier to fly trikes however.

beepee

I converted mine to become my first taildragger.  This allowed me to learn the TD handling on a familiar airplane.  After that, taildragger or nosedragger, it is all personal preference.  At least until you get to the big birds where nose wheel assemblies are hard to find (and easy to bend).  Personally, on grass I prefer TDs.  On a paved runway I want at least one ND for the fun of it.

Bedford

rc airplane nut

My Feedback: (5)

I was thinking about doing that too and asked a pilot at the flying field and he said yes

TedMo

this I shall add only for posible comment. With a trike gear I have always set it up with a slight negative attitude when level. this I felt improved steering on takeoff and kept the nose down on landing once nose gear touched down. Many years ago one of the required maneuvers was to taxi back to the hanger this negative attitude helped there and I have used it ever since.

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

Other then a trainer I just built my first trike geard plane, Ihave only ever owned tail draggers and still fly a half dozen of them right now. I'm having a lot more fun with the trike geared plane. Why bother making a change??
At fun fly events the trike geared planes always won any of the ground or steering events. Maybe your next plane you can try a tail dragger?? No reason to change it now, one isn't any better then the other. Idid have to make a cut out in a card board box to haul my new trike plane to the field, the nose gear doesn't lend itself well to sitting flaton the floor of the van. Ireally like my trike!!!

Don41

By all means go tail dragger. They require a slightly different technique for takeoff so it's another skill you will obtain by making the switch.

It's all personal preference but when I'm scouting around for a new plane to build I shun the nose gear ships. Although I have flown full scale trikes and tail draggers I once owned a Stinson 108 (tail dragger) so I guess I'm just a little prejudiced (:-).

kylerz123

Thanks alot, all!