I know this topic has been hammered to death here on RCU, but I am not interested in the how-to.
My question is, once I learn to fly my (trike gear) trainer and solo, should I then convert it to a tail dragger? My second plane WILL be a 1/5 scale cub. I am building it now (although quite slowly).

Any thoughts?

dano13

You don't need to.

I only converted it to a tail dragger. because my front gear on my trike was taking a beating and i was getting tired of bending it back into place. Theres lots of pictures on how to do it on RCU. It's not's that big of a change (at least it wasn't for me) I got the hang of it after one day of flying with no instruction expect for RCU. Knowing how to take off and land on a tail dragger would be helpful before going to the cub but it's not somthing absolutley nesscesary.

It's all up to you and how you feel.

If you're a kit builder or you have any interest at all in tinkering with your airplanes, I say do it. It's a pretty straightforward job and it will give you the sense of adding new life to your old plane.

The general consensus seems to amount to personal preference, although Righty's moving to a tail dragger setup makes sense also. Our grass field is still a bit rough at one and and it is a bugger to get out of there after landing sometimes. I suppose a tail dragger might be just a bit easier to get turned around and taxi back in.

I thank you all for your input and will make my choice after I get a bit more experience (read: solo) with my plane.

BTW, while I have been spending time on the club trainer, MY trainer was maidened today! YEEHAW!!! My instructor was so impressed with the very little trim adjustment needed he asked if I minded if he took it up again ("Just to make sure"). Unfortunately, I didn't get to try it myself due to lack of buddy box setup, but I was still grinning ear to ear on my short ride home.

dano13

Convert it to a tail dragger & stick in more engine -- it will provide you with a new level of entertainment, make you a better pilot & likely reduce the liklihood of digging a hole wqith the Cub ( which you will find is nopt so easy to fly).

Looks like I should proof-read before posting!

You dont think cubs are easy to fly?[X(][sm=confused.gif][sm=confused.gif][sm=eek.gif]

I would say do it for the practice. The CUB is easy to fly IMHO. But is a pain to take off. Compared to other tail draggers any way. You do have the advantage of a grass field. On a hard surface runway the toe in is critical on the smaller cubs. So do it for the fun of it. And ENJOY.



David

If you have the time and a few extra bucks i say go for it. The thing that took the longest for me was waiting for the glue to dry. My td conversion is in my avatar.