Hi All! I just got a Goldberg tiger 60 arf that I want to build as a taildragger. Being that this is my first low wing plane, I have been told to fly it as a trike first and then convert it to a taildragger later. I have also been told that the taildragger conversion is also suitable as a first low wing trainer. Which way should I go?

World Models T-34.

WM T-34

Streuth! Talk about totally ignoring the question......

I've just got one of these too, but it's not my first low winger... having gone from a trainer to a Brightstar (low wing trainer trike) I'd recommend just plonking on the included trike gear. A search here will tell you that a lot of people build as a trike and then convert later.
I was thinking of building as a tail dragger using my Funtana LG, but I might rebuild the Funtana so that's that idea up the spout. The components specified by CG for the main and tail gear don't seem to be available so I'm not sure exactly what gear to use right now...

Taildragger behaviour can vary greatly from plane to plane, the only way to find out if this plane handles well as a traildragger is to get the opinion of someone who has flown this particular plane in that configuration.

I still think your best bet is to build it as a trike and conver later. That way you can always go back to trike if you have problems and you'll be flying a plane you're already familiar with...

Not that much different to go ahead and make it a TD. Be sure that the axel's are at the wings leading edge to prevent noseovers.

Make it a tail dragger.....with the long tail moment of that plane, it's very easy to handle on the ground.

thanks for all of your imput! I think I'm going to do the taildragger setup. thanks again!

One thing a lot of people forget to consider is converting their trianer to a taildragger before moving on. This would allow you to get some taildragger experience before flying the tiger 60 as a taildragger. It will allow you to take one step at a time... Taildragger then low wing instead of taildragger and low wing all at once. It will also make yor trainer look a lot better as well!

If you fly from a grass field the difference in how the plane handles on the ground as a taildragger will make you wonder why you didn't make the change earlier. As a taildragger it may be a little more of a handful on take-offs but once you are used to it you will never go back!

Forgot to mention to make sure to have wheel 'toe-in'. This prevents the drunken crab look as you begin take-off. It doesn't take much, but if you have the slightest toe-out, the plane will wander left and right too much.