KSCessnaDriver
Well-Known Member
So, just to stir the pot some more, I got my first 1.0 in the tailwheel world today. I had been trying to get it all week, but the winds really weren't cooperating (at one point they were 27G36). So today, it was fairly calm (under 10 knots) so up I went in an L-16A (a militarized Aeronca Champ).
What a blast that was. Started out with just some basic taxing. Wide figure 8's over a closed runway marking (the big x), and then some 90 degree turns on the X itself. Took a little bit to figure out the heel brakes, but after that, it was easy. For once, flying a Diamond paid off, because it gives you a basic understanding of steering with the brakes.
Then, off to fly. Steep turns and some gentle climbing/descending turns. It is probably the most stable airplane I've ever flown, once you figure out how to fly it. Back to the airport and we did two landings, a wheel landing and a three point, just kind of showing me how they work. Needless to say, its really cool to fly a tailwheel, but throw in the actual military history of the airframe, and the sweet military paint on it, I'm hooked. Its awesome. So, I"ll tease with a small picture of the plane.
What a blast that was. Started out with just some basic taxing. Wide figure 8's over a closed runway marking (the big x), and then some 90 degree turns on the X itself. Took a little bit to figure out the heel brakes, but after that, it was easy. For once, flying a Diamond paid off, because it gives you a basic understanding of steering with the brakes.
Then, off to fly. Steep turns and some gentle climbing/descending turns. It is probably the most stable airplane I've ever flown, once you figure out how to fly it. Back to the airport and we did two landings, a wheel landing and a three point, just kind of showing me how they work. Needless to say, its really cool to fly a tailwheel, but throw in the actual military history of the airframe, and the sweet military paint on it, I'm hooked. Its awesome. So, I"ll tease with a small picture of the plane.