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Improve your landings or take spin training in our classic tailwheel plane.
Q: Why would I want to fly tailwheel? A: The tailwheel airplane offers a challenge in that it is necessary to keep the nose aligned with the direction fo flight on landing. Learning to accomplish this will polish your flight skills and improve your landings in any airplane. Q: Why is the tailwheel more of a challenge than a tricycle gear airplane? A: The center of gravity is behind the main landing gear in a tailwheel plane. This means that if the plane starts to move to one side and the motion is not corrected the plane will try to swap ends and enter a condition called a ground loop. Q: What kind of airplane do you use for tailwheel training? A: I use an Aeronca Champ (1946 model). It was originally manufactured with a 65 horsepower engine that had to be started by hand. The engine has been replaced with an 85 horsepower model and an electrical system installed. Q: What is involved in spin training? A: Generally spin training involves one or two hours of flight. There is little belefit to letting a spin develop fully, so I emphasize spin recognition and rapid recovery. We will do spins with power on and off. Q: Why should I take spin training? A: Actually experiencing a spin will give you the skills you need to instantly recognize the onset of a spin (the "snap") and rapidly recover. Should you later approach or accidentally enter a spin you will have the skill to automatically take the right corrective action. <
