Started tailwheel training this past Saturday, got a couple hours in and put in a couple more on Sunday. Finally on Sunday after some high speed taxi runs I figured out how to keep it on the runway. Three point landings not bad. I called it a day after ZERO decent wheel landings, not even close.....it's going to be hard to learn to push the stick forward after twenty years of pulling back and flaring. This little bugger takes a lot of work just to stay coordinated in the air too (after flying 20 years, it was pretty humbling) Very forgiving on the landings but with a full caster tailwheel it was kicking my butt the first day. After the 10 tailwheel landings on Saturday I was comfortable enough to take my Bravo back over to the grass strip (2,200') and land and take off. In my airplane once committing to land, that's pretty much it. If trying a go around you better get it cleaned up fast and climbing. Saturday morning I went straight to the grass strip (Brasstown NC)
For kicks I put the heart rate strap on and recorded HR along with the other GPS data on my cycling Garmin. In the Mooney my cruise heart rate Sunday morning shortly after takeoff was 71. I turned it on way late, pretty much as I was turning final. I was amazed that it got that high (147) with zero physical activity.....except for the sphincter. Also posted the HR flying the landings and takeoffs in the Highlander, big spike landing, little spike taking off.
I'd almost rather take a beating than go back

Here is my tailwheel thread that got all this started:
viewtopic.php?f=49&t=125230

At least it isn't a luscomb. Ok, it may have been my uncle that was more twitchy about me potentially ground looping his luscomb.

I'm envious ...

Don't think about pushing forward to pin it on. Nearly everybody that tries that fails. There's no magic stick movement that somehow tames the taildragger. You are flying just before touchdown and you are still flying until you are at a slow taxi, so just keep flying the plane. Eventually it will click, and when it does you will understand when and how much to lower the angle of attack, but until then, please resist the advice to "just shove the stick forward when the tires touch".

Yes, like many things in aviation, it'll "click" at some point...

However, if slow enough when the mains touch down pushing the stick forward will settle the plane down. If excessive speed is carried you will bounce.

Rgs

Patrick

With a heart rate of 147 you may want to check with your friendly cardiologist for the probablility of a dysrrythmia. (paroxysmal atrial tachycardia or atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response, especially since you were not exercising). That fast rate diminishes the time during which your heart's ventricles fill, potentially compromising irrigation to the brain, and creating loss of consciousness.

Awesome! Did you buy a Highlander or are you just getting your training in one?

It came together for me when I realized a wheel landing in the Husky means I'm controlling the last foot or so of the descent with the throttle more so than pitch. Then when the mains touch, gently cutting the power and pitching down simultaneously. Not all of these fat tired beasts fly the same, so Interweb advice from folks like me flying a different machine needs to be take with all the salt your Highlander can hold. Sure looks like a fun machine. It will be worth the effort to learn how to fly it the way (and the places) it was intended. Enjoy!

Training. Will probably be in a Superstol on the next lesson. I do have a deposit down on a Superstol that was built last year. It's out west so I'm hoping to be comfortable enough to fly it back myself.

Tony,

In the last year I have learned how to land a tailwheel, so my learning process is still fresh. I am by no means an expert (ie a pitts would prove that rather quickly I am afraid) but here are a few things that really made a difference for me.

1) When landing, do not wait to put in rudder until something happens. Start a little light toe dance on the rudders. I find myself doing this on all planes now.

2) Do not be afraid of a bounce like you would in a trike. I was so used to adding power to smooth out, and/or going around in trikes. Now I ride the small bounces out. This was brought home to me watching some WW II footage. Those guys bounced like crazy.

3) For Wheel landings, As Mike mentioned, control descent with power more than pitch. When touching down (and this is the scary part) ROLL THAT STICK FORWARD to reduce the AOA or you will fly again. Then the light toe dance again.

It's all fun, and the best part is, when you try spring gear , you can learn all over again!



Jeff

Training. Will probably be in a Superstol on the next lesson. I do have a deposit down on a Superstol that was built last year. It's out west so I'm hoping to be comfortable enough to fly it back myself.

It's supposed to be fun! Keep at it awhile and it will be!

Tail wheel endorsement....DONE