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Old 02-20-2006 | 06:20 PM
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Lowlevlflyer
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From: Davis, OK
Default RE: flying a tail dragger

I'm another one that's never flown a tricycle gear R/C aircraft. I learned on a LT40 that I converted to a taildragger before it ever flew. Progressed to the Four Star 60, and am now flying a Goldberg Pitts 12 Monster. All of the aircraft I had any desire to fly after training were taildraggers, so I figured I would be way ahead of the game to learn on one. As far as flying, there is no difference in how a taildragger and trike FLY, the difference is in the takeoff and landing. You will need to hold up elevator while taxiing, and as you start your takeoff roll. Hold a bit of right rudder to keep her straight on your roll, and let the elevator go to neutral, and the tail will come up. Depending on what you're flying, it may fly right off without the tail coming up. The main thing is just keeping it straight with the rudder. Doesnt take much! Landing, some airplanes like three point landings, some like to be wheel landed on the mains. You'll just have to experiment and see which works better for you. Fly it down to within a few feet of the runway and let her settle in on either the mains, or pull it on back into a three point attitude, and it should just ease right onto the runway!