Got my tailwheel endorsement - woohoo!

I got signed off yesterday for tail wheel. I am a sport pilot and building a 601 so you might wonder why get a tail wheel endorsement?

Shhhh... don't tell the wife about my plans for a second plane. She will find out when we get to Osh Kosh later this year.

Seriously, it was great experience and I highly recommend it to every sport pilot. I had a great instructor in Sonoma and I got to log 8.5 hours in a Citabria. Travis, my instructor was a stickler for proper altitude and airspeed. When I had a lousy final, he would point out that I lost it abeam the numbers on the down wind leg! 

I also learned a lot about slips to the ground on final and how important it is in a high wing plane to control the wing in a cross wind. In the end I safely landed on one wheel in a heavy cross wind, and also "mastered" three point and wheel landings. I guess i am fascinated with flight and love being a student. I may go on for my PPL since I only have night and IFR training left. (I got my B/C/D airspace endorsement while getting my sport license.

I can't wait to rent to 601 school plane and see how much I improved in nose wheel landings. Back to my project with more motivation.

Happy flying,

50 hour pilot

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Permalink Reply by Bob McDonald on February 4, 2012 at 11:40am

"Congrats"  That is an accomplishment to be proud of. I have been flying since 1976, and I have not flown "the cursed hateful taildragger". I am V.P. of the local flying club, I located and purchased a Citabria 7ECA for the club this past summer.... I left the test flying to the guys that fly the club aircraft. 1968 Citabria 7ECA, recent fuselage fabric & paint, new aluminum wings and "0" time Lycombing 0-235. Some day I plan to get around to flying a taildragger.

Permalink Reply by Kevin Boelk on February 4, 2012 at 7:42pm

Congratulations!  The Citabria is a great handling plane and a forgiving trainer.

Permalink Reply by Bob Pustell on February 4, 2012 at 9:11pm

Are you too far into the build on your 601 to make it a taildragger? I am building my 601XL with the little wheel at the back end of the airplane. My current ride is a 1947 Stinson 108-2. Fine old machine. I have flown taildraggers with friends as far back as 1970, but only got around to getting an official tailwheel endorsement about 15 years ago. It is fun, and, in my opinion, makes you a better, more in tune with the airplane pilot.

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Permalink Reply by Tim Treat on February 8, 2012 at 8:04am

My 601 is staying as a nose wheel plane.

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