Hi All,
Finally got myself into the "elite" ranks of flying a taildragger[8D]. Using a Phoneix Dolphin with a OS 46LA spinning a Bolly 10.5 x 6, and the first take-off was a hair raising experience, as it was a first. It went fine, I think, took off at a 5-10 degree angle to the runway, but for a first time.

My dad took some photos so they will be posted soon.

By the way, I still have to stand behing the model when taking off, but I'm working on it.[>:]


John Murray

Sounds good. How long have you been flying? I'm just curious because you mentioned that you have to stand behind the plane to takeoff. I'm nobody to judge, but you may want to get your orientation on the ground and in the air 100% before you move up in model types. I know it's hard and sometimes boring to fly just one model but, that's how you get good on it. Just my .02

I've been flying for just over a year, but due to time, I cannot get out to field as much as I'd like[].

I'm only standing behind the model so that I can see how much it turns to the left, it was my instructors idea, and I'm slowly moving closer to my normal position.

I'm fine taking off a trike, but because it's a tail dragger, I want to make sure I get it right, and not over correct.


John

I said that there would be pictures and here they are:

John

Fine looking plane!! I may have to gets me one of these!

Nice plane and a nice field.

Can't find a listing on these. I wonder if they are made any more??[8D]

I bought it second hand.

The field is a dirt strip, but very few pot holes or large bumps[8D].

The lads at the field have nicknamed it "The Flying Fish" is it's called the Dolphin.

John

I have a newb question, Why are tail draggers "harder"? I always thought they would be easier cause you dont have to worry about going back too much inlanding

The trike configuration is easier to steer on the takeoff roll. All 3 wheels pretty much stay on the ground until the plane takes off. Additionally, the plane is close to the proper flying attitude. In fact, when I setup a trike plane I always set it so it's a little nose down. This does two things. First, the plane does not leave the ground until I tell it to, by adding up elevator. Second, while landing, once the nose wheel is on the ground it tends to stay there. If I've landed a little hot, this reduces the likelyhood that the plane will start flying again.

On a tail dragger, the steering is much harder to control. Once you get up a bit of speed, the tail is no longer on the ground so the steering is very sensitive. Because the tail starts so low, the plane is not in the proper attitude to take off. In order to prevent nosing over, you have to keep up elevator and while taxiing around. As the plane picks up speed, you need to ease off the elevator so the tail comes up. If you forget to do this, the plane will try to takeoff before it's up to flying speed and most likely snap roll into the ground. These are some of the reasons a tail dragger is harder.

Now, after saying all that, I should follow up by saying tail draggers are not necessarily hard, they are just usually harder as a group than a trike. I learned to fly with a tail dragger. If I can do it, anyone can.

Edit: Oops, forgot to mention. It was not at all a dumb question. In fact, it's a good thing to ask.

thanks piper. I was wondering about that. I must say i like the looks of tail draggers more. But what u said made m think after i thought about it )if that makes sense

Piper,

An excellent description without the usual #*@&#^ that tends to cloud the issue. No one should be intimidated by the idea of a tail dragger, even a brand new flyer. Like anything, with the proper instruction, it can be easy to master. Us tail dragger types certainly aren't elite. Welcome to the club!

I really like our long grass runways and they look great. Out come the gophers who add their small holes everywhere and takeoffs and landings can be interesting. If the front wheel of a trike gear hits a pot hole, the whole plane tips oon its nose. This usually also means a bent steering rod. On tail draggers provided that the plane has at least 3" wheels if a main wheel from a tail dragger hits a pot hole, the plane bounces on that side and keeps on going without damaging the landing gear. That why I prefer tail draggers over trike gear at our field.

If you look in the pictures, you would notice that most of the planes that we fly are trikes.

Every now and again a plane will nose over[], but it doesn't happen very often.

There are only two people in the club that regularly fly with taildraggers.

John

I have 3 taildraggers. I find them just a tad bit touchier taxi'ing around and taking off. Heck, my U Can Do and Twist will take off in
about 20 feet under full power. I did that once and it scared the crap out of me!!!! I was waiting for a nasty roll into terra firma.
Oh Fastsky, you kinda got quite a few planes there!!!! I was pointing this out to the "house nazi" and she said, forget it, you got enough planes!!!!

Dave...

You asked? I subscribe to the "it's better to seek forgiveness than ask permission" philosophy.

Bad news for my crowded hangar, another plane is coming in!! My wifes watch quit for the second time so for our anniversary I bought my wife a really nice watch. She bought me a Model Tech P-47 ARF! There was none in Stock at Great Hobbies so its on order. I have one of the the new WM SK 80 engines which will be powering the plane. Can't wait!