What a professional Master Class on tailwheel flying. I will be watching this episode again over and over until I completely comprehend and assimilate all concepts.
That was a great "interactive" demonstration. The bicycle wheel. Otherwise it's hard to wrap your head around gyroscopic precession just by reading the AFH.
This is literally the best explanation of tailwheel flying that I've ever heard. I've been flying tailwheel for over 25 years and have owned a Champ for the last 11 years...lots of information here that I never even thought about. This guy is a real instructor! Thanks so much for posting.
Doug is one the most accomplished pilots I have ever known.. he is one of my idols, and I have flown alot of different planes from experimental to mach 2 jets.. Doug is awesome, people should listen to him about tailwheel aircraft.. nice video Martin.
Been flying tailwheel for 42 years, this is probably the best description of the physics I have ever seen. Excellent job, learned a few things myself! Thank you Hans
Thank you for all the kind words. Martin has a great ability to catch the essence of the lesson and, while long by youtube standards, keep it relatively short.
Fantastic instruction. My normal mount is a Citabria, and never gave much thought to favoring right crosswinds on takeoff because of the left turning tendancy.
Thank you for this incredibly instructive video : it's one thing to be taught how to fly tailwheel, it's another to really understand what happens and for what reason. I will use this next time I fly the PA19 at my club.
Doug, I’m so glad I found this and am so grateful you provided such wonderful mentorship to me last summer, thank you for continuing to share your knowledge!
Thanks Doug! The first 5 mins of your discussion with Martin changed my perspective on how to take off and land....RC taildragger planes! The principles are the same. Before hearing your discussion, I had the misconception that all taildraggers should land on the mains. I struggled being consist managing these maneuvers with the various types of taildraggers in my hanger (RV-8, Stinson 108 Flying Station Wagon, Piper J-3 Cub, Westland Lysander). But now, I respectfully consider the landing characteristics for each plane and its made a world of difference. Much thanks to you and Martin!
I taught myself to fly tail wheel aircraft. Put the plane on skis and flew about 15 hrs and than installed the wheels never looked back after. Cessna 140, 180, Stinson.
What an incredibly well dictated and valuable ground lesson. Thank you so much for sharing! I'm headed to an intensive tailwheel, uprt, and aerobatics course in two days and this is such great prep for me. Thanks again :)
Thank you for sharing. I am a 210hr instrument rated SEL pilot but have not flown in 6 years. I will be getting back in the air soon and will be ironing out my stick and rudder skills in a J-3. This video series is hugely beneficial, thank you.
@@martinpauly "'That's what Doug and I were hoping for - to create something meaningful for anyone starting (or getting back into) tailwheel flying." That was clear. I did my TW 18 months ago and (sadly) learned more in the video than I had learnt from the instructor. Great brush up before some more dual in an RV8
I agree with previous commenters, this is the best explanation of tailwheel flying I have heard. My big takeaway was how if you have a choice a right crosswind is beneficial for takeoff. It makes sense but I have never heard it explained that way.
Enjoyed the video and advice on landing with a direct crosswind. Did my training in a Decathlon in Texas. Landing in a cow pasture was some of the best training for me. J.L. Hibbert
Excellent video! When I learned to fly, I had 100 hours in a "conventional gear" (tail dragger) aircraft before I ever got to fly a tricycle gear machine (Cessna 172). It took me less than 45 minutes to check out in the 172. The transition was no problem. I always said it was like going from a stick shit car to an automatic transmission. When people tell me they want to learn to fly, I always suggest that they seek out a flying school that has a tail dragger and do at least their first 20 hours in it. This will pay dividends for the rest of your flying career. This gives you the right reactions from the start. I know it is hard to find a school with a tail dragger, but it is worth it.
A marvelous video, and great explanation. If you ever tour Iowa City, look up 1142 E court. My great grandfather built that house and owned the brickyard that made the bricks for the house, and many of the old brick pavers in the city. The house was completed in 1858 and has been nicely restored by a local attorney.
Have 955 landings, doing wheelers on my short legged RV4. I thought the tail hitting first was not good, when attempting a 3 pointer. Best tutorial I’ve ever seen. Thank you.
A short leg RV-4 and some other taildraggers are no where near the stall attitude when the tailwheel touches first. In a full stall attitude the mains are a long ways from the ground, and when the tailwheel touches, the downward inertia causes the mains to hit hard and there is no way to stop it. This can damage the gear, or even spread it far enough to hit the prop. Therefore full stall landings are not recommended. They can be 3 pointed but one must take care to not let the angle get to high at touchdown.
That Ground Briefing is probably the best I've ever seen. Great explanations to differentiate between the nose dragger and tail dragger during the "expensive speed" rollout. Excellent explanations of aerodynamics that separate the TW aircraft from the C-172 regarding adverse yaw and drag (especially for the older TW aircraft) and those left turning factors. Best of all was the use of question technique to engage the learner and prompt recall of principles and concepts. Well done !
Best explanation I've heard explaining all the dynamics effecting a tail wheel A/C, bar none. Incedentaly took my primary flight instructions in a 7ECA, loved that bird!!!
great vid... back in the early 1970s I was in high school when I started to learn to fly, on a PA 18 on floats, but do to seasonal changes switched to skis and then out to the airport on wheels, so have had the experience of tail wheel flying... ended up when done with my private license being single engine land and sea rated... this was in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada... airport code YAM, now CYAM...
Yep ! He said it very well. My ratings. Singer engin land ,Conventional gear, high horsepower complex. Glider . Through in mountain flying. Getting this combination of ratings and experience makes you a much better pilot safer.
Those are all good things to learn about. More generally speaking, the desire to keep learning and continuously improve our skills is more important than any one particular skill of that list. - Martin
Ever since I got my tail wheel sign off, I thought that was the greatest way to fly. If you use tail wheel skills with the tricycle gear, you become a better pilot. The problem is not losing the skill more than it is trying to obtain an airplane, especially one you could rent that is of a tail wheel configuration. It’s almost like trying to find a car or truck or SUV with a stick shift. They’re just getting more and more scarce.
When I was a kid, befriended Vincent Dieter. He had a '74 Bonanza F-33A. N711JA. He died when I was in basic training. Tracked down tail number, someone here in Florida crashed it. Too bad
Early in my private training I purchased a Luscombe 8A. Completed my certificate and spent a decade flying that thing. Prior to buying it, everybody recommended that I not buy that as my first plane. Narrow gear and squirrley they said. That plane and I worked together as one and it paved the way for me now owing a high performance, short coupled tail dragger (Maule) which I am also at one with.
Martin, thanks for sharing this ground school session. Doug did a great job breaking down a concept that I 'knew', but never really 'owned'. He strikes me as a gem of an instructor. Keep it coming!
AWESOME info I am a Tailwheel pilot with just over 300 hrs in my T Craft bc12d/85....In Central Montana our average winds this time of year often are 15k or more, after 8 weeks of NO FLYING "I usually fly every day, I needed some encouragement and refreshing, awesome video.
Not a pilot but all of this makes a lot of sense. These would be great skills for any pilot to have in the arsenal. Doug really knows his stuff and has a great narration voice. Martin you also have a very good knowledge of these concepts already. Can't wait to see them in practice. Thanks for sharing.
This video is the best explanation ever about tailwheel aircraft. This is exactly and literally what I needed in order to understand more about it and to improve my rudder skills. YOU'RE THE BEST. I LOVED IT.
I needed to watch this video in 1980, but neither RUclips nor instructors that were great at teaching were around. Plenty time builders and textbook knowledge, but lacking conceptual knowledge and practice. Great video and very nice airplanes hangared.
Martin, I met you at SNF earlier this week. Your videos were very helpful in me getting my tailwheel endorsement last summer and eventually flying a Piper Pawnee towing gliders. Looking forward to more RUclips videos!
Sold......right after my IFR ticket....gonna-git’er-done..... also shows the value of a great instructor who can teach on the ground, not just in the air.
Huge thanks to Martin and Doug for doing both the tail wheel and the multi engine training videos! Doug is a great instructor and Martin has mastered video editing.
I am not a real pilot and unfortunately will probably never be. But I try my best at simming. I know it is not the same thing but it is the closest I will ever come. I have had a lot of issues with taildraggers and I frankly suck at landing them. This video changed all of that. I still suck, but now I can land the thing and not groundloop half of the time. :) The portion where the wind should come from when landing and taking off in a crosswind was very good! It also gave an excellent overview on the things/forces that come into play, in a good format. Thank you! take- care /Andy
Thank you so much for this jewel. Not to brag - but I am a furloughed Captain flying for only 26 years this year. I am currently on 787 and before that for 9 years Skipper on B777. On every flight I have learned something new and this will never stop. I would love to fly with Doug everyday - so much valuable and practical information. I saw the detoriation of pilots (including myself) because of reluctancy to automation. The basics of flying will stay relevant for some time. Being a good pilot takes a lot of honing in these skills, training and attitude to expand our useful knowledge and our human performance and limitations. In the airline industry I noticed a tendency to know the books and rules by heart but not really the understanding of them. Doug really brought it to the table for me. Once I get out of the furlough financial turmoil I will go back into flying GA. Flying always made me the happiest guy on earth... Thank you again for your very nice and educational channel!!! Angel
Guitar player in Kansas? Thank you so much for your kind words. Like the Guitar, flying should be a never ending quest of continuous improvement... Sadly my picking is not my strongest skill set, but I'm still trying. Tailwinds,
Hi Doug..yeah I even run a small analog homestudio with tape machines here in good ol' Germany. Going flying is cheaper!! :-) As you long as you enjoy picking your guitar- it is good!You and Martin got me really out of my corner. I am going back to the books and reviewing what I have learned so far. And I am working on my first record...i am not good player by all means but hey, we all get better by doing what we like. Thank you again for sharing and I will wait for the other parts to come. All the best greeting from Meerbusch! Tailwinds Doug!
Meerbusch - that's just a stone's throw away from where I grew up in Nettetal. I started flying at EDLF (Grefrath Niershorst) in the 80s. Herzliche Grüsse aus Iowa! - Martin
wie klein doch die Welt ist :-) Habe in Grefrath auch einige Solos gemacht, meinen Schein in Mönchengladbach. Du bist dann ja schon etwas länger bin den Staaten. Mein Kompliment, Du hast wirklich einen tollen Channel Martin! Beste Grüsse nach Iowa!! Angel
Hallo Martin, ich bin immer wieder sehr dankbar für die Einblicke, die Du in das Fliegen, aber auch in besondere Persönlichkeiten gewährst. Danke! Weiter so!
This is excellent ground school for tailwheel. I learned A LOT about flying in general. I've been considering tailwheel for a while (my wife just got hers) but now I'm absolutely going to do it as soon as possible to become a better pilot.
Thanks very much for posting this Martin, it's invaluable. I wish yt was around when Dad was cropdusting in an Agwagon in NZ, which is not flatland flying or more importantly is not flatland landing/taking off. He could have given a wealth of information on tailwheel handling on hills and undulating ground that adds another dimension to what Doug describes very well (and many thanks to him for sharing his expertise in a thoroughly accessible way)
What an amazing instructor. I got my tail wheel ticket earlier this year. It really does make you think differently about wind and how you use the stick and rudder. Really looking forward to the rest of the series.
Doug Rozendaal : i am learning to fly in Canada and just watched your instruction with Martin! I am only in the AULA cat ( Light Sport in Canada ) and was nervous to look at tail wheel, but now I feel that is what I will move to once training is complete to learn better flying skills...with a proper instructor thank you
Doug Knows his Shxxxt. A person could not have explained flying a Tailwheel more accurately than Doug. Listen to him carefully if you want to Master the Tailwheel!!!
Martin -- that demo with the bicycle wheel was eye opening. Gyroscopic procession is one thing to read about and "understand"...but seeing it put it into perspective for me. Thanks! Really looking forward to seeing the flight portion of your training.
I remember when I got my tail wheel training and then my sign off. It does in fact make you a better nose wheel pilot. It all honesty. I enjoy flying a tail wheel more because you are actually flying the plane 100% compared to a nose wheel, which is very forgiving. Not saying a tricycle gear pilot is not a great pilot but a tail wheel pilot is a better trained pilot.
Amazing instructor right there. I love how he explains why you’re doing something and not just what to do. And in a way one can actually remember! I fly a Piper SuperCub on a regular basis and I must say I absolutely love it. And I’m sure you’re gonna love flying tailwheel too! Looking forward to part 2, 3, 4,... of this series. Thanks for sharing
You're videos are great and very informative Martin and you are a gem of an instructor Doug! :-) The bicycle wheel demonstration and comparison to the P-51 propeller was a very eye opening demonstration. I am at the beginning of learning to fly in a tail wheel aircraft and loving it. This RUclips ground school lesson will help strengthen my training :-). Best regards, Christian
I am transitioning from an Aeroprakt A32 (nosewheel) to a Savage Cub. The former is a beautiful ans nice modern LSA, but the latter has that Cub charm and off airport capabilities that makes it so much fun. These lessons has made it quite a bit clearer to me whats going on and how to handle it!
Interesting subject. I fully agree with the statement about degraded flying skills. In my 25 years of pilot training on Airbus A320 A330 and A340 I confirm the lack of flying skills. On FBW airplanes flying x-control it not possible in normal law since an aileron input is a roll rate and not related to direct stick to aileron deflection. On a L1011 we started decrabing at 150ft, on the FBW airbus aircraft when starting the flare the flare. I landed the L-1011 in Santa Maria in a 45 it's X-Wind with the technique just explained perfectly.
@@martinpauly You could do a slip but in contrary to a non FBW aircraft you have to take the control stick to neutral as soon as you have the desired bank. Airbus recommends to decrab just before touching down with wings level. In a strong x-wind lowering the wing helps to make a reasonable landing but it’s not as easy as on conventional aircraft. I must admit landing the L-1011 in strong x-wind more than 30 kits is much easier than on Airbus FBW aircraft.
THANK YOU for sharing this! I flew tailwheel back in the late '70s and early '80s. Just finishing up a 35.5-year airline career. Recently acquired a 8KCAB Decathlon. After several takeoffs and landings, things have come together, BUT, this video answers questions that have been on my mind for many years.
Thanks Martin and Doug for Part 1 Behavioural differences of the tail wheel (15-20 degree angle of attack). You also have left two gaps in my learning. 1. The demonstration of the gyroscope, when moved L/R of vertical: why is there a greater forces in returning to vertical? 2. This is my introduction to P factor (you have placed an interest to learn the characteristics of the propeller). Why the ascending blade moved the centre of thrust: changing the vector(yaw) and possibly roll forces? 🌏🇦🇺🇺🇸🇺🇳☕
John, It's a little hard to see in the video what movement I TRIED to make with the wheel, and what movement RESULTED instead. I tried to tilt the wheel as if changing the pitch angle of the airplane behind it. The resulting left/right forces were the same strength, whether I pitched up or down. Get a bicycle wheel sometime and try it for yourself. On your second question: The ascending propeller blade has an angle of attack of close to zero when the tail of the aircraft is on the ground, which means almost no lift (thrust) is created there. Whereas the defending blade as a high angle of attack, creating a lot of lift (lots of thrust). The resulting sum of all lift forces created by the propeller is to the right of the center, until the tail of the airplane is raised the the angle of attack is the same on both sides. - Martin
@@martinpauly Thanks, Martin for the clarification of prop pitch and centre of thrust change, due to angle of attack (even though only 15 degrees to level). Fly safe, have fun🌏🇦🇺🇺🇲
Great video. Thanks. I learned aerobatics in a Cap-10B some years ago. By far the most challenging aspects of the experience were the landings and takeoffs. It made me a better tricycle pilot but more importantly it vastly improved my confidence.
Great video! I learned something new!! The discussion of which runway to select when it’s a direct 90° strong crosswind, and why the answer is different for takeoff vs landing.
Wow there are some cool planes in that hangar. What a great lesson posted for posterity. Thank you Doug for teaching! Big AHA! moments here for this student. Really brings it home. Update one year later: I learned and got certified, I flew cross county and locally and I am still coming back for more depth and nuance on this topic. This video is without a doubt a key reference on the topic. Thank you!
What a professional Master Class on tailwheel flying. I will be watching this episode again over and over until I completely comprehend and assimilate all concepts.
Thank you, Daniel!
- Martin
Brilliant discussion on gyroscopic precession and P Factor ! That spinning bicycle wheel leaves nothing to the imagination. Worth it's weight in gold.
Seeing is believing, and feeling the bicycle wheel move leaves nothing to the imagination.
- Martin
That was a great "interactive" demonstration. The bicycle wheel. Otherwise it's hard to wrap your head around gyroscopic precession just by reading the AFH.
This is literally the best explanation of tailwheel flying that I've ever heard. I've been flying tailwheel for over 25 years and have owned a Champ for the last 11 years...lots of information here that I never even thought about. This guy is a real instructor! Thanks so much for posting.
Thanks for the feedback, and I am glad you got something useful out of the video!
- Martin
Best tail wheel video I've found so far. I want that guy teaching me!!
Thank you.
- Martin
This is one of the best explanations about tail landing that I’ve ever seen. Very technical, clear and illustrative! Thank you very much
Glad we could help!
- Martin
@@martinpauly Couldn't agree more, excellent explanation that is applicable to all pilots
Agreed
Couldn't agree more!
Doug is one the most accomplished pilots I have ever known.. he is one of my idols, and I have flown alot of different planes from experimental to mach 2 jets.. Doug is awesome, people should listen to him about tailwheel aircraft.. nice video Martin.
I couldn't agree more - and I am grateful that Doug shares his knowledge and experience on some topics through these videos 👍
- Martin
Been flying tailwheel for 42 years, this is probably the best description of the physics I have ever seen. Excellent job, learned a few things myself!
Thank you
Hans
Thank you, Hans - happy to hear that.
(Bist Du auch Deutscher?)
- Martin
Thank you for all the kind words. Martin has a great ability to catch the essence of the lesson and, while long by youtube standards, keep it relatively short.
Fantastic instruction. My normal mount is a Citabria, and never gave much thought to favoring right crosswinds on takeoff because of the left turning tendancy.
Thank you for this incredibly instructive video : it's one thing to be taught how to fly tailwheel, it's another to really understand what happens and for what reason. I will use this next time I fly the PA19 at my club.
Doug, I’m so glad I found this and am so grateful you provided such wonderful mentorship to me last summer, thank you for continuing to share your knowledge!
Thanks Doug! The first 5 mins of your discussion with Martin changed my perspective on how to take off and land....RC taildragger planes! The principles are the same. Before hearing your discussion, I had the misconception that all taildraggers should land on the mains. I struggled being consist managing these maneuvers with the various types of taildraggers in my hanger (RV-8, Stinson 108 Flying Station Wagon, Piper J-3 Cub, Westland Lysander). But now, I respectfully consider the landing characteristics for each plane and its made a world of difference.
Much thanks to you and Martin!
Exceptional video. I have been flying Tailwheels for about 25 years and I learned a few different things from this video. Well done.
Fantastic video on tailwheel flying! Doug, you possess a wealth of insight and I appreciate the ability to sit under your instruction for 29 minutes.
Thank you, Curtis.
In today's world of everyone's obsession with foreflight and glass cockpits, this video on stick and rudder flying is overly refreshing! Thanks gents!
I taught myself to fly tail wheel aircraft. Put the plane on skis and flew about 15 hrs and than installed the wheels never looked back after.
Cessna 140, 180, Stinson.
I fly a tailwheel (Cessna 170) & this is one of the best explanations that I’ve ever heard. Anyone could learn a lot from Doc.
Gentlemen, This video is full of lessons. I have watched this part 1, three time and i learn each time something else. Thanks a lot.
Thanks for the kind words, Claude.
- Martin
What an incredibly well dictated and valuable ground lesson. Thank you so much for sharing! I'm headed to an intensive tailwheel, uprt, and aerobatics course in two days and this is such great prep for me. Thanks again :)
Glad it was helpful!
- Martin
Thank you for sharing. I am a 210hr instrument rated SEL pilot but have not flown in 6 years. I will be getting back in the air soon and will be ironing out my stick and rudder skills in a J-3. This video series is hugely beneficial, thank you.
Glad we could help you, Christopher, and best of luck for getting proficient again!
- Martin
This should be a mandatory watch for every Tailwheel Endorsement! I learned stuff I wish I would have known at the beginning of my tailwheel flying!
That's what Doug and I were hoping for - to create something meaningful for anyone starting (or getting back into) tailwheel flying.
- Martin
Was the Tailwind harder to fly than the plane you got your certification in?
@@kwittnebel easier actually. I got my endorsement in a Vagabond
@@MotoFlightGuy that is good news for us aspiring Tailwind pilots.
@@martinpauly "'That's what Doug and I were hoping for - to create something meaningful for anyone starting (or getting back into) tailwheel flying."
That was clear. I did my TW 18 months ago and (sadly) learned more in the video than I had learnt from the instructor. Great brush up before some more dual in an RV8
I agree with previous commenters, this is the best explanation of tailwheel flying I have heard. My big takeaway was how if you have a choice a right crosswind is beneficial for takeoff. It makes sense but I have never heard it explained that way.
Thank you, David.
- Martin
Enjoyed the video and advice on landing with a direct crosswind. Did my training in a Decathlon in Texas. Landing in a cow pasture was some of the best training for me. J.L. Hibbert
Glad you enjoyed this one, James. Decathlons are a lot of fun, aren't they?
- Martin
Excellent video! When I learned to fly, I had 100 hours in a "conventional gear" (tail dragger) aircraft before I ever got to fly a tricycle gear machine (Cessna 172). It took me less than 45 minutes to check out in the 172. The transition was no problem. I always said it was like going from a stick shit car to an automatic transmission. When people tell me they want to learn to fly, I always suggest that they seek out a flying school that has a tail dragger and do at least their first 20 hours in it. This will pay dividends for the rest of your flying career. This gives you the right reactions from the start. I know it is hard to find a school with a tail dragger, but it is worth it.
I agree with you, Ray. Though I suspect "stick shit car" was a typo (or maybe a Freudian slip)? 🤣
Best regards,
Martin
A marvelous video, and great explanation. If you ever tour Iowa City, look up 1142 E court. My great grandfather built that house and owned the brickyard that made the bricks for the house, and many of the old brick pavers in the city. The house was completed in 1858 and has been nicely restored by a local attorney.
Thanks, Brian.
- Martin
Have 955 landings, doing wheelers on my short legged RV4. I thought the tail hitting first was not good, when attempting a 3 pointer. Best tutorial I’ve ever seen. Thank you.
A short leg RV-4 and some other taildraggers are no where near the stall attitude when the tailwheel touches first. In a full stall attitude the mains are a long ways from the ground, and when the tailwheel touches, the downward inertia causes the mains to hit hard and there is no way to stop it. This can damage the gear, or even spread it far enough to hit the prop. Therefore full stall landings are not recommended. They can be 3 pointed but one must take care to not let the angle get to high at touchdown.
Outstanding explanation of tail wheel aerodynamics. Doug is the man.
Yes, he is!
- Martin
Best Tail dragger ground school one could have
Thank you very much!
- Martin
That Ground Briefing is probably the best I've ever seen. Great explanations to differentiate between the nose dragger and tail dragger during the "expensive speed" rollout. Excellent explanations of aerodynamics that separate the TW aircraft from the C-172 regarding adverse yaw and drag (especially for the older TW aircraft) and those left turning factors. Best of all was the use of question technique to engage the learner and prompt recall of principles and concepts. Well done !
Thanks, Bob - glad you enjoyed the lesson.
- Martin
Excellent description of tail wheel dynamics. Thank you for sharing
Thanks, Jim.
- Martin
Best explanation I've heard explaining all the dynamics effecting a tail wheel A/C, bar none. Incedentaly took my primary flight instructions in a 7ECA, loved that bird!!!
Thank you, Bill! Do you still have that Citabria, or what do you fly these days?
- Martin
Excellent instructor. Well worth the watch.
Starting the takeoff roll with the stick forward allows the tail to come up slowly, making the gyroscopic effect less sudden as the tail comes up
great vid... back in the early 1970s I was in high school when I started to learn to fly, on a PA 18 on floats, but do to seasonal changes switched to skis and then out to the airport on wheels, so have had the experience of tail wheel flying... ended up when done with my private license being single engine land and sea rated... this was in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada... airport code YAM, now CYAM...
I have never experienced skis, not even as a passenger. Is it hard to assess your hight above ground when it's all just white below you?
It’s a lot to get your head around.
Seat of the pants experience and a wonderful instructor.
Glad you enjoyed the lesson.
- Martin
Yep ! He said it very well. My ratings. Singer engin land ,Conventional gear, high horsepower complex. Glider . Through in mountain flying. Getting this combination of ratings and experience makes you a much better pilot safer.
Those are all good things to learn about. More generally speaking, the desire to keep learning and continuously improve our skills is more important than any one particular skill of that list.
- Martin
I could listen to that deep calming voice all day
Ever since I got my tail wheel sign off, I thought that was the greatest way to fly. If you use tail wheel skills with the tricycle gear, you become a better pilot. The problem is not losing the skill more than it is trying to obtain an airplane, especially one you could rent that is of a tail wheel configuration. It’s almost like trying to find a car or truck or SUV with a stick shift. They’re just getting more and more scarce.
Yes, that is true. I wish there was a tailwheel airplane for rent at my home airport - I am not aware of one.
- Martin
Outstanding presentation. Great example of gyroscopic precession. I'll be watching you, thanks
Thanks, Christopher.
- Martin
When I was a kid, befriended Vincent Dieter. He had a '74 Bonanza F-33A. N711JA. He died when I was in basic training.
Tracked down tail number, someone here in Florida crashed it. Too bad
Early in my private training I purchased a Luscombe 8A. Completed my certificate and spent a decade flying that thing. Prior to buying it, everybody recommended that I not buy that as my first plane. Narrow gear and squirrley they said. That plane and I worked together as one and it paved the way for me now owing a high performance, short coupled tail dragger (Maule) which I am also at one with.
Looks like the Luscombe ended up being a good choice for you, Kirk. 👍
- Martin
Well done, I’m an airline pilot, and really miss GA and tailwheel flying.
Thanks. Maybe you can get back into light-GA flying on the side, just for fun? Many airline pilots do that.
- Martin
Martin, thanks for sharing this ground school session. Doug did a great job breaking down a concept that I 'knew', but never really 'owned'. He strikes me as a gem of an instructor. Keep it coming!
Indeed, Andy - he is a fabulous instructor, and I am fortunate to learn from him.
- Martin
Just started my tailwheel training and my instructor told me to go through your two part videos first. Thanks for the efforts!
I hope it helped!
- Martin
What a great video. Doug has a great way of breaking down the complexity into simple to understand, bite sized chunks. Thank-you both for the lessons
Glad you enjoyed it, Ian.
- Martin
Thank you very much for this video. Doug's briefing is crystal clear, so neat and up to the point!
Agreed, Denis.
- Martin
AWESOME info I am a Tailwheel pilot with just over 300 hrs in my T Craft bc12d/85....In Central Montana our average winds this time of year often are 15k or more, after 8 weeks of NO FLYING "I usually fly every day, I needed some encouragement and refreshing, awesome video.
Not a pilot but all of this makes a lot of sense. These would be great skills for any pilot to have in the arsenal. Doug really knows his stuff and has a great narration voice. Martin you also have a very good knowledge of these concepts already. Can't wait to see them in practice. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Bill. I am fortunate that Doug is sharing some of his vast knowledge with me.
- Martin
Really appreciate the slow step by step approach and touching all the bases. Learning to fly RV's and this is invaluable info. Nice job.
Thanks!
- Martin
This video is the best explanation ever about tailwheel aircraft. This is exactly and literally what I needed in order to understand more about it and to improve my rudder skills. YOU'RE THE BEST. I LOVED IT.
Thank you, Ahmed. Happy Landings!
- Martin
I needed to watch this video in 1980, but neither RUclips nor instructors that were great at teaching were around. Plenty time builders and textbook knowledge, but lacking conceptual knowledge and practice. Great video and very nice airplanes hangared.
Excellent explanation of crosswind landings, never heard or seen it explained this way!
Makes perfect sense once you think about it this way, doesn't it? And not just in tailwheel airplanes, by the way!
- Martin
Martin, I met you at SNF earlier this week. Your videos were very helpful in me getting my tailwheel endorsement last summer and eventually flying a Piper Pawnee towing gliders. Looking forward to more RUclips videos!
Thanks for saying hi, and all the best for flying taildraggers!
- Martin
Who needs FAA publications when you have Martin and Doug!
Great video Martin!
(i'm still gonna read the books)
:)
Sold......right after my IFR ticket....gonna-git’er-done..... also shows the value of a great instructor who can teach on the ground, not just in the air.
In my opinion the best video on the subject!
Tomorrow I will get my Tailwheel briefing, I am very excited and feel super prepared.
Excellent - how did it go?
Huge thanks to Martin and Doug for doing both the tail wheel and the multi engine training videos!
Doug is a great instructor and Martin has mastered video editing.
Our pleasure, Tim! Glad you like the result.
- Martin
I'll probably never fly a plane, but videos like these are still super fascinating to watch. Thanks for sharing this, looking forward to more
Glad you like it, Jackson. Maybe one day you can experience it for real in an airplane!
- Martin
Thank u so much for this video. I watched both and u couldn't go wrong having Doug for an CFI. Wow, learned a lot. Thanx again!
I am not a real pilot and unfortunately will probably never be. But I try my best at simming. I know it is not the same thing but it is the closest I will ever come. I have had a lot of issues with taildraggers and I frankly suck at landing them. This video changed all of that. I still suck, but now I can land the thing and not groundloop half of the time. :) The portion where the wind should come from when landing and taking off in a crosswind was very good! It also gave an excellent overview on the things/forces that come into play, in a good format. Thank you! take- care /Andy
Happy to help, Andy, and I hope you'll keep having fun in the sim!
- Martin
Thank you so much for this jewel. Not to brag - but I am a furloughed Captain flying for only 26 years this year. I am currently on 787 and before that for 9 years Skipper on B777. On every flight I have learned something new and this will never stop. I would love to fly with Doug everyday - so much valuable and practical information. I saw the detoriation of pilots (including myself) because of reluctancy to automation.
The basics of flying will stay relevant for some time.
Being a good pilot takes a lot of honing in these skills, training and attitude to expand our useful knowledge and our human performance and limitations. In the airline industry I noticed a tendency to know the books and rules by heart but not really the understanding of them. Doug really brought it to the table for me.
Once I get out of the furlough financial turmoil I will go back into flying GA. Flying always made me the happiest guy on earth...
Thank you again for your very nice and educational channel!!!
Angel
Guitar player in Kansas? Thank you so much for your kind words. Like the Guitar, flying should be a never ending quest of continuous improvement... Sadly my picking is not my strongest skill set, but I'm still trying. Tailwinds,
Hi Doug..yeah I even run a small analog homestudio with tape machines here in good ol' Germany. Going flying is cheaper!! :-)
As you long as you enjoy picking your guitar- it is good!You and Martin got me really out of my corner. I am going back to the books and reviewing what I have learned so far.
And I am working on my first record...i am not good player by all means but hey, we all get better by doing what we like.
Thank you again for sharing and I will wait for the other parts to come. All the best greeting from Meerbusch!
Tailwinds Doug!
Meerbusch - that's just a stone's throw away from where I grew up in Nettetal. I started flying at EDLF (Grefrath Niershorst) in the 80s.
Herzliche Grüsse aus Iowa!
- Martin
wie klein doch die Welt ist :-) Habe in Grefrath auch einige Solos gemacht, meinen Schein in Mönchengladbach. Du bist dann ja schon etwas länger bin den Staaten.
Mein Kompliment,
Du hast wirklich einen
tollen Channel Martin!
Beste Grüsse nach Iowa!!
Angel
I am very greatful to have started out in a tail wheel airplane. An Aeronca Champ. Such a blast to fly!!
Similarly, I started in gliders. You and I both know what the rudder is for 👍
- Martin
@@martinpauly ha most certainly
Outstanding video, more of these please with Doug in them.
looks like Tailwheel study is a must of mastering airplane fly. these stick and rudder skill serves all airplanes
Yes. If you want to improve your airplane skills, learning to fly a tailwheel airplane is a good way to do that.
Hallo Martin, ich bin immer wieder sehr dankbar für die Einblicke, die Du in das Fliegen, aber auch in besondere Persönlichkeiten gewährst. Danke! Weiter so!
This is excellent ground school for tailwheel. I learned A LOT about flying in general. I've been considering tailwheel for a while (my wife just got hers) but now I'm absolutely going to do it as soon as possible to become a better pilot.
Good - that's why we made the video, to encourage people to get that kind of training.
- Martin
thank you so much. I keep learning after 40 yrs of flying, so awesome !
That's the spirit, Denis. In flying, we should never stop learning.
- Martin
Thanks very much for posting this Martin, it's invaluable. I wish yt was around when Dad was cropdusting in an Agwagon in NZ, which is not flatland flying or more importantly is not flatland landing/taking off. He could have given a wealth of information on tailwheel handling on hills and undulating ground that adds another dimension to what Doug describes very well (and many thanks to him for sharing his expertise in a thoroughly accessible way)
Doug has a fantastic manner of teaching, great video. Thanks.
WOW! Outstanding explanation of all the factors involved in tail wheel performance. Thank you! We’ll done.
Thank you, Scott.
- Martin
Wow...Great video Martin! Very informative.
Incredible. Never thought (or was taught) so much regarding gyroscopic effect and other factors
What an amazing instructor. I got my tail wheel ticket earlier this year. It really does make you think differently about wind and how you use the stick and rudder. Really looking forward to the rest of the series.
Great to hear, Andy!
- Martin
Hell, I just fly models and it taught me more in thirty minutes than I've learned in years of trying learn being a hobbyist.
Thanks, Tony - I'm glad this was helpful for you.
- Martin
Doug Rozendaal : i am learning to fly in Canada and just watched your instruction with Martin! I am only in the AULA cat ( Light Sport in Canada ) and was nervous to look at tail wheel, but now I feel that is what I will move to once training is complete to learn better flying skills...with a proper instructor thank you
did mine in an RV7.
look forward to doing more
Excellent commentary that I haven't seen anywhere else.
Thank you, Steve.
- Martin
Great content. I've been flying a RV6 for 15 years and learned a few pointers I've never considered before.
Doug Knows his Shxxxt. A person could not have explained flying a Tailwheel more accurately than Doug. Listen to him carefully if you want to Master the Tailwheel!!!
Yes, he sure does. Every time I listen to him I learn something.
- Martin
Great timing. I start tailwheel training in 3 weeks.
Martin -- that demo with the bicycle wheel was eye opening. Gyroscopic procession is one thing to read about and "understand"...but seeing it put it into perspective for me. Thanks! Really looking forward to seeing the flight portion of your training.
I prefer crosswind landings. I don't enjoy a no-wind, or straight headwind landing.
I remember when I got my tail wheel training and then my sign off. It does in fact make you a better nose wheel pilot. It all honesty. I enjoy flying a tail wheel more because you are actually flying the plane 100% compared to a nose wheel, which is very forgiving. Not saying a tricycle gear pilot is not a great pilot but a tail wheel pilot is a better trained pilot.
Makes sense to me!
- Martin
Best video of explaining Tailwheel so far👍🏻
Glad you found the video helpful!
- Martin
Excellent - clear concise explanations
Looking forward to the Taylorcraft flying.
Amazing instructor right there. I love how he explains why you’re doing something and not just what to do. And in a way one can actually remember!
I fly a Piper SuperCub on a regular basis and I must say I absolutely love it. And I’m sure you’re gonna love flying tailwheel too!
Looking forward to part 2, 3, 4,... of this series.
Thanks for sharing
I will make this video a mandatory pre-study for future pilots who wants to be checked out by me, thanx!
Thank you for sharing this. I had seen this before, but rewatching again since I'll be starting my tailwheel training next week.
You're videos are great and very informative Martin and you are a gem of an instructor Doug! :-) The bicycle wheel demonstration and comparison to the P-51 propeller was a very eye opening demonstration. I am at the beginning of learning to fly in a tail wheel aircraft and loving it. This RUclips ground school lesson will help strengthen my training :-). Best regards, Christian
I am transitioning from an Aeroprakt A32 (nosewheel) to a Savage Cub. The former is a beautiful ans nice modern LSA, but the latter has that Cub charm and off airport capabilities that makes it so much fun. These lessons has made it quite a bit clearer to me whats going on and how to handle it!
Glad to hear this was helpful for you.
- Martin
Hey Doug... after 50 years of flying taildraggers, you’ve finally explained what I’ve been doing!!
Very informative video, Thanks Martin! Love the Mr. Mulligan behind you guys!
Interesting subject. I fully agree with the statement about degraded flying skills. In my 25 years of pilot training on Airbus A320 A330 and A340 I confirm the lack of flying skills. On FBW airplanes flying x-control it not possible in normal law since an aileron input is a roll rate and not related to direct stick to aileron deflection. On a L1011 we started decrabing at 150ft, on the FBW airbus aircraft when starting the flare the flare. I landed the L-1011 in Santa Maria in a 45 it's X-Wind with the technique just explained perfectly.
Interesting - makes me wonder, is it possible at all to fly an Airbus in a slip in normal law?
- Martin
@@martinpauly You could do a slip but in contrary to a non FBW aircraft you have to take the control stick to neutral as soon as you have the desired bank. Airbus recommends to decrab just before touching down with wings level. In a strong x-wind lowering the wing helps to make a reasonable landing but it’s not as easy as on conventional aircraft. I must admit landing the L-1011 in strong x-wind more than 30 kits is much easier than on Airbus FBW aircraft.
Exceptional ground lesson! A great refresher as I am planning to revisit tailwheel flight after several years of my endorsement! Thanks!
Thank you, David.
- Martin
This is one of the best aviation videos and explanations I've ever seen, thank you for sharing!
My pleasure, Adam. Thanks for the kind words.
- Martin
THANK YOU for sharing this! I flew tailwheel back in the late '70s and early '80s. Just finishing up a 35.5-year airline career. Recently acquired a 8KCAB Decathlon. After several takeoffs and landings, things have come together, BUT, this video answers questions that have been on my mind for many years.
This is awesome! Thank you, Doug, for explaining these things so succinctly, and thank you, Martin, for showing us Doug's wisdom! I love this channel!
Thanks Martin and Doug for Part 1
Behavioural differences of the tail wheel (15-20 degree angle of attack).
You also have left two gaps in my learning.
1. The demonstration of the gyroscope, when moved L/R of vertical: why is there a greater forces in returning to vertical?
2. This is my introduction to P factor (you have placed an interest to learn the characteristics of the propeller). Why the ascending blade moved the centre of thrust: changing the vector(yaw) and possibly roll forces?
🌏🇦🇺🇺🇸🇺🇳☕
John,
It's a little hard to see in the video what movement I TRIED to make with the wheel, and what movement RESULTED instead. I tried to tilt the wheel as if changing the pitch angle of the airplane behind it. The resulting left/right forces were the same strength, whether I pitched up or down. Get a bicycle wheel sometime and try it for yourself.
On your second question: The ascending propeller blade has an angle of attack of close to zero when the tail of the aircraft is on the ground, which means almost no lift (thrust) is created there. Whereas the defending blade as a high angle of attack, creating a lot of lift (lots of thrust). The resulting sum of all lift forces created by the propeller is to the right of the center, until the tail of the airplane is raised the the angle of attack is the same on both sides.
- Martin
@@martinpauly Thanks, Martin for the clarification of prop pitch and centre of thrust change, due to angle of attack (even though only 15 degrees to level). Fly safe, have fun🌏🇦🇺🇺🇲
Great video. Thanks. I learned aerobatics in a Cap-10B some years ago. By far the most challenging aspects of the experience were the landings and takeoffs. It made me a better tricycle pilot but more importantly it vastly improved my confidence.
Great video! I learned something new!! The discussion of which runway to select when it’s a direct 90° strong crosswind, and why the answer is different for takeoff vs landing.
Excellent conversation. Never stop learning! So many interesting details, several I have never considered.
Thank you, Larry!
- Martin
Wow there are some cool planes in that hangar. What a great lesson posted for posterity. Thank you Doug for teaching! Big AHA! moments here for this student. Really brings it home.
Update one year later: I learned and got certified, I flew cross county and locally and I am still coming back for more depth and nuance on this topic. This video is without a doubt a key reference on the topic.
Thank you!
Excellent information for all pilots.
Elegant is a good word. 😎
Excellent video. Thanks to you and Doug. I look forward to the next one where you and Doug are flying the plane. I hope you're able to post it soon.
Thanks, Al. The flight video is now posted.
- Martin
Looking forward to the flight portion. I learned to fly in a Taylorcraft L2M - about 15 years after getting my license in tri-gear.