Scaring myself - Tail Wheel Flying - Strong Gusting Cross Wind - Ground Loop Risk
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- Опубликовано: 2 апр 2015
- Finding your limit as a Pilot can be Scary… But it's the best way to Learn…
Proud to be associated with ForeFlight: www.foreflight.com/flightchops/
The Ground Loop is one of our biggest fears as tail wheel pilots.
I am constantly trying to stretch my limits and get better as a pilot…
For this flight, I'm working hard to improve as a Tail Wheel Pilot; I'd been flying a fair bit so I was "in the zone" and felt ready for a strong cross wind!
But it is a fine line, and I scared myself on this flight; I had a close call nearly Ground Looping, and am happy to share the experience through the analysis provided in this video!
The flip side is that if you're "not feelin' it" even if it is a beautiful day, don't hesitate to cancel a flight.
That would fall under the "I.M.S.A.F.E. check list.
Big thanks to "planesounds" for sharing the footage of a very well captured ground loop in a Stearman.
Please visit their channel here:
/ planesounds
NOTE: regarding letting passengers (pilot or not) take the controls:
It would have been an ugly insurance claim if Mehran’s taxi troubles put us in the ditch…
A prop strike would have been likely - and expensive.
And it would have been my problem as I was PIC; and regardless of Mehran being pilot, he was not signed off on the aircraft.
Big thanks to Dennis for the awesome training, and for consulting on the technical stuff regarding this edit, and the ground loop animation. (Jared, Dave, and Aaron helped with that as well!)
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/ flightchops
See the Flight Chops main channel for all sorts of flying content from aerobatics to IFR training, and much more Tail Wheel Flying!
NOTE: this flight was EDITED down from over an hour to under 15 minutes; Thus, there are missing details and possible lost context.
Also, I am NOT an instructor, so PLEASE do not look at this as instruction but rather the start to a conversation that you can have with your instructor.
Flight Chops branding music featured is written and produced by Chris and Rob from "Big Honkin' Spaceship" For all your music and post sound needs, please check them out at:
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Here are the direct links to some other Tail Wheel Flying videos that I've done,
but please also check my channel in case I forget to update the links here in this description:
1st solo in the Super Cub
(Great illustration of trim usage, and my WORST landing is also in this video)
• My 1st Solo!… AGAIN! -...
Wheel Landing on pavement
• Tail Dragger training ...
Ski Flying:
• 1st time Ski Flying! -...
Upset Recovery and Spin Training - Bellanca Citabria
• Upset Recovery and Spi...
Flying a Tail Dragger - Tip #3 - Taxi + Run-up + Take-Off - Shoes Matter!
• Flying a Tail Dragger ...
Super Cub - Finding Zen - Grass Strip - Tail Wheel Flying - Short Field Landing practice
• Super Cub - Finding Ze...
FLIGHT CHOPS DISCLAIMER:
I am a "weekend warrior" private pilot, I fly for fun with no intentions of going commercial. I have had my PPL for over 15 years, but still consider each flight a learning experience - I generally take detailed notes after each flight to remind myself what went well or what I could do to improve.... Having the GoPro cameras to record flights like this is invaluable. I find these self analysis videos very helpful in my constant quest to improve, and am happy to share. Feedback is invited; however, please keep it positive.
So brave to put this content out man. You're really doing the community a service. Thanks again!
Thanks!
Best POV video I've ever seen in my over 50 years of flying...technically and honestly informative with great camera and edit work!! Also loved your naration and the fact you had to land on a good note. GREAT JOB MAN!!!
Don
What makes your videos so good is that you show your mistakes, analyze them and most importantly, you remain humble.
Man being a fellow youtuber with a channel approaching 120,000 subs I wanted to take a second to applaud your hard work work that goes into your editing. the multi angles, the voice overs, the screen shots, man its a ton of work! Much appreciated!
+THELIFEOFPRICE Thanks man! And I just checked out your channel - crazy stuff! Wanna do a video about installing 18" subs into a biplane? :P
Funny finding a basshead comment on a flying video lol
Love to see the "loosen up the shoulders and feet" on the pre-landing checklist (from the earlier episode). These videos are so valuable - thanks for being brave enough to share
i like that.. "if you're not slightly scared, you're not learning".
And that's how the safe pilots are made..I also prefer landing in challenging conditions :)
Great video :)
+Riad Salkanović Thanks!
Flight Chops is by far the best flight series on youtube.. Another A+ video and one to file away for the tail dragger days ahead.. No other pilot on YT is willing and able to show us the good with the bad and how important it is to always be trainng and learning. Your the best Chops !
forexpro35 Thanks so much for this awesome comment! I try really hard to share real experiences. As long as people understand that I am just a private pilot sharing my journey as I try to improve, I'm cool with it. Like in this case, I'm focusing on flying the crab on final in the Super Cub in a cross wind, but there are many planes that you're better to fly the slip all the way in... So be sure to confirm with your instructor which is best.
I love seeing your scrony, dancing legs! You're working that rudder, bro!
Angle of Attack Haha - thanks Chris!
Great stuff, thanks for sharing the bad along with the good
***** Thanks - that's my mission here :)
Having several hundreds of Cub hours I made some rules for myself that seem to have worked. 1. You start flying that thing the minute engine starts and stop when the prop stops. 2. Learn to ride a bike before getting into tail draggers, you need the leg muscles and co-ordination. 3. Where ever and when ever possible take the grass. Much more forgiving than the hardtop. I love watching your videos as they bring back a lot of very happy memories. Well done mate.
I used to fly with my uncle in a Piper Super Cruiser when I was a kid. He always let me fly when we were flying a tricycle gear plane, but he never let me touch the controls when we flew the Super Cruiser. I remember almost putting my head through the roof of the plane when landing an an approaching Tstorm. My uncle always remained calm and I never appreciated the skill he had flying that plane until later in life.
I talk to myself too when I'm nervous. Good thing you have cameras so you can make it into video commentary :)
I always did that too. It always made me more aware and alert.
This one had my heart racing a bit. Can't wait for MS Flight sim 2020 to come out so I can get a little experience and hopefully get into an actual aircraft in the next few years. I was able to fly a Cessna 172 for about 30 minutes on a test flight after maintenance with a pilot at a small airport I worked at for a few summers. Ever since I've been dying to get back into one. Best 2 hours of my life up in that thing. All I ever got to do was fuel them and watch them land/take off haha. Really fun HS job though. Besides weed eating around runway lights 😕
While logging my first hour and a half of time, my instructor and I were doing some stall work. I had a pretty good feel for it until we did one with a bit of a tail wind. Bird stalls, tail comes up, and I say "HOLY DOGSHIT" while pouncing on the throttle and yanking back on the yoke. Instructor gave me an "at least you didn't panic!" But for my first official time logged, it was quite The experience!
You're right on point with the notion of 'if you're not scared a bit, you're not learning.'
Jason Taylor Thanks Jason, glad you could relate to this one.
Nine landings in high xwind - I was exhausted watching you. The protracted stress is draining.
Great job in your 8th-landing recovery.
I am consuming your videos multiple times. I am transitioning from flying Gyrocopters to a J3 Cub. I thought I was Mr. Cool on grass then we changed to asphalt. Hello humble pie. I enjoy your very honest self-assessments.
+cardioflow Thanks for the friendly feedback - and very cool to hear you're watching more than once - good times! :)
I love the way your vlogs transcends it's genre. Learning to fly is like learning to do anything. Fall down, and stand up stronger.
Thought your video was great! After I had my private pilot's license I would not go up flying in a crosswind. One day I thought to myself how stupid it was that I was a licensed pilot but was stopping myself flying if the wind was across the runway so I did the same thing you did, scared myself a little but was the best thing I could have ever done. Crosswinds don't bother me one bit now. Found out the same secret you did, on windy days you can never stop flying the airplane. Thanks again!!!
WOW!!! that was great - I am a retired ATP SW3 Metroliner, Turbo Commander-690 and Citation-500 but I started in the J3 Cub and Airknocker Tri-champ. This takes me back. GREAT JOB - Excellent Vid.
Thanks for not just posting videos that make it look easy! Love your content!
Good stuff man, keep it up. I'll be getting in a tailwheel soon, it's cool to see you progress and I can learn from others mistakes and apply it to my flying. It's nice to see someone not afraid of posting videos where mistakes were made. THAT is where you learn. Cool videos
Man I look forward to every other Friday these days.
I know I probably underestimate the work required to get a video finished and put it out there but whatever you're doing keep doing it!
We all appreciate the time you put in.
For me I think I like the way you almost bare your soul in a lot of your commentaries and captions, it's a brave thing to do in the name of improvement (and our entertainment!) but again, keep doing it!
Thanks again, Joe
joehodgy Thanks Joe! Yeah, this was a tough one to share. There are some screw ups (like letting Mehran taxi - that was a dumb idea) and I was probably pushing myself a little too hard in those conditions... But yeah, as long as people understand the context of these videos, hopefully there are some valuable take aways for them.
Nice flying and thanks for sharing.
I enjoyed this video... it doesn't make you look like a poor pilot, instead to me, it illustrated the fact that you / me / whoever are not impervious to mistakes and that we always have to be vigilant and fly the plane until shutdown. Thanks for sharing! :)
Mike G Thanks Mike! I'm glad you got the full context of this video.
Nice job! Posting all the bumps in the learning curve is VERY informative. Your running self-criticism and fault admissions are so important to the learning process....for you and for the viewer.
Very good pre-landing check-list, nice work!
Probably the most educational videos on RUclips. Thanks so much for this excellent contribution to the flying world.
Huge thanks.
Rich
flightsim481 Thanks so much! But I am always cautious about calling any of my stuff "training or educational videos" because I am not qualified... As long as viewers are aware of the context of my being a private pilot sharing "real learning experiences" I'm happy to share :).
***** Hi Flightchops.
I have to say that just because one isn't a teacher/instructor doesn't mean others can't find it educational. As such, when I watch your videos, I learn something, not by virtue of 'being taught' but by virtue of someone being open and honest about their own learning and experiences.
I had a case of "press on itis" when hours building in a Cessna 152. I was on a cross country, desperate to get home with a worse than forecast headwind. I was keen not to divert because it was a club aircraft, but ended up landing with the fuel gauges on their stops. Every sense was telling me to divert for fuel, yet I didn't. Scared myself witless, and the flying club never told me how little fuel was left, but by my fuel calculations after the event, I would be surprised if there was more than 5 litres usable fuel left.
Please don't underestimate your contribution to the community.
Happy flying,
Rich
flightsim481 Thanks again for the awesome comments - I really appreciate the support. And thanks for sharing your "press-on-itis" story.
Nicely done, looks like great fun, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching! - this is an oldie, bit a goodie
Chops.... Wanting to get my pilots license and well, figured youTube would give me some insight into what I am likely to experience.... BY FAR your videos have been the most instructive and realistic available. Keep up the great work!
Great videos, I learn a lot from them. Landing a Cub in a strong crosswind is very satisfying, feeling that into wind wheel touching and then the other and staying on the centerline. Learning how to do that consistently is very humbling and I'm still on that journey.
Very nice video as always! :) what I especially like in your videos is that you make us feel into the situation, so that everyone can learn form your experience!
FlightChops, thanks for this video. I'm hoping to get my tail wheel endorsement and this has really helped me understand the risks of ground loop, how it should be dealt with, and what to look out for. Keep the excellent content coming!
Outstanding video, as usual! I just got my first taste of tailwheel flying this past weekend in a Taylorcraft BC-12. It's essentially a Cub with side by side seating and a different wing, but the same 65hp to lift 380lbs of pilot/instructor! I read an editorial in Plane & Pilot a while back detailing the difference between Pilot's and Aviators. I've been giving that a lot of thought lately, and one thing that I think sets the two apart is that a Pilot meets the "standard", passes the test, and thinks training is over. An Aviator is perpetually looking for ways to improve, to better understand the airplane and WHY we do what we do, no matter how many hours they have in their logbook. Another point is that a Pilot, for fear of competition, will never admit to mistakes they make. An aviator, with a deeper concern for the aviation community as a whole, will readily share their mistakes with others, as a teaching tool to improve the whole of our art. Your videos set a very good example of how an Aviator should act, if you ask me. Anyway, Keep 'em flyin!
+lonestarreview thanks so much for this awesome comment! It is rewarding to hear stuff like this! And that is a great way to boil down the fundamental differences between pilots and aviators!
I see myself in the exact situation and seeing it through on a good note makes it all the better, my heart is still racing. Good job
NICE job! Thanks for sharing mistakes and advice. Really like all your vids
After 500+ hrs of tailwheel time in Skywagons, Citabrias, RV's, etc....I'm convinced that they make you a more precise pilot, because the aircraft DEMANDS it. The ground loop demon is always out there. Keep him at bay with nimble feet and never stop flying it! Nicely done video.
I scared myself that very exact way on my first solo in a pacer. Scary but glass I snapped out of it as well. Nice work!
Recently TW endorsed in a J5A, and had my first day (with the owner/CFI in back) working tough winds (75 degrees, 6-10 +5 gusts) on Sunday. Tough to accept that some of the go arounds are mandated by conditions, not your piloting skill. It was a great day, and learned a ton. Appreciate all the effort you put into your channel, even 7 years ago. Thanks.
As always, another great video. As a young private pilot enamored with the art of tailwheel flying, this series is gold. I find myself relating my own experiences to the things you talk about, which makes them even better. The video about finding zen on the grass strip perfectly captured what tailwheel flying is when everything clicks. Thanks for the great videos; they're almost like being in the air.
ARedCatJoe Thanks for this awesome comment! I really appreciate it!
Really great video! I stumbled on anothervideo about ground loop that was really vague. This was absolutely fantastic; educational AND entertaining. Nice job man! I really appreciate your stick-to-it attitude toward it. It's inspiring.
+Dusty Peterson Thanks!
Great video! Thanks!
rock on bro! love your videos. super informative. you're a good teacher
Awesome video, again! I was looking forward to this one. I also just picked up "The Killing Zone" by your recommendation and I'm loving it.
Nice video. Shows the discipline required and that tail wheel flying is an art.
Tremendous video! Only having around 25 TDragger hours myself, I totally get what you were through! Kudos for releasing this! I mostly did grass strips with TDs up to today....appears to be a bit easier than concrete due to the additional rolling drag of the grass and less need to hit the breaks! Take care and happy landings!
Awesome job getting experience and correlating proper tech from your prior landings. I would say you are doing it right.
+Copainization Thanks!
Keep the videos coming - Thanks for sharing for what most people would not share - Great learning
Richard Stratman Happy to share, glad you enjoyed it!
Your posts are great, fun to watch and informative. I'm also glad I'm not the only person having these conversations with myself on final :)
simrey33 Thanks!
The most honest flying video I've seen. Colorful language for sure but everyone has thought it if not said it if they've done more than 3 landings.
+Question Mark - haha - thanks yeah... I had to share this one... I'm not proud :P
As a glider tow pilot I've got lots and lots of taildragger time. Consider that towing involves typically 5 or even as many as 10 takeoffs (max performance since you are towing another aircraft) and landings per hour of logged time (also max performance landings since you need to deal with the towrope and also get back to tow another sailplane as quickly as possible.) I've got towing time in 150 and 180 hp Super Cubs, 180 hp Bellanca Scouts, Cessna L-19, Piper Pawnees 180 and 235 hp, Cessna AgWagon 300 hp, and a few other types. The Super Cub is my _least favorite_ of all the taildraggers I've flown. Poor visibility, narrow landing gear, frigging Heel Brakes.... I guess it made me a better pilot... but really, I credit my high density altitude L-19 time for that. The Scouts were the nicest and most comfortable, the Pawnee 235 is a decent towplane, but for modern ballasted openclass sailplanes the AgWagon ruled supreme. And the Super Cubs, while carrying a lot of charm and prestige, basically sucked. Heel Brakes! Try standing on those silly little heel brake pedals while hauling full back stick and considerable aileron for taxiing after a full stall short-softfield landing in a 20 knot crosswind while trailing a 200 foot towrope .... twenty or thirty times in a day as fast as you can make it around the patch. Whoooopeeeee!
Your last landing made me say aloud, “DUUUUDE WOW!!!” Great example, thank you!
The Cub is my favorite aircraft. I had a scary moment some years ago when I checked out a pilot in an Army Cub. During a landing did he (and I) relax one second too long, and we departed the runway onto an inactive runway that served as taxiway and apron. No ground loop, thankfully, so we taxied back and made a new circuit.
Great video, thanks for sharing.
Awesome video session, thx for sharing
Juan Martinez Happy to share - glad you enjoyed it.
Nice video, I have no tail wheel experience, but feel I had learned a lot from your video. In fact, you can get a real feel of what is happening by watching the slip indicator while also keeping a eye on the rudder inputs during the scare vs the following landing. It really gave me a good feel as to what was going on. even without feeling the g load.
great videos. gld you kept on trying and love that you cant end on a bad note. i totally get that
So nice videos! Great work!
Great flying!
very very good vid, thanks for posting!
Awesome video! thanks for sharing
"You're not going to beat me today, Wind Gods!" lol. Awesome, Steve.
Awesome video man...and awesome flying! Thanks for sharing!
107FOXTROT Thanks! I was hangin' in there - a little sloppy in places, but I'm happy with my performance (although I wouldn't cal it "awesome" - but thanks :)
Thanks man, amazing video
Great video! Hope to get behind the stick soon so I appreciate your knowledge!
Thanks for watching!
Props to you for sharing it all, Steve. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that you have helped prevent any number of incidents through your videos.
You are doing a great service to the aviation community with your candid videos and commentary. I have well over a thousand hours of teaching TW, mostly in Citabrias. If I might offer a tip that has worked for me: Don't re-trim doing pattern work. If you set your trim for best rate of climb on TO, it should be in perfect trim for the Downwind when you reduce power. When you chop the power for your power off 180 landing, you will need to keep a little bit of back pressure on the stick to keep your wheelie speed. It makes the wheel landing much easier because you are just pulling back to control your rate of decent. When you grease it, just relax the back pressure and the trim will help keep the tail in the air without you having to time a stick forward. It also makes it easier to just add a bit of throttle if you have levelled out a bit high. Hope this helps and, if you have a better method, please share it 🙂
Great job coaching yourself through that adversity. Gusting wind cross landing in a tail wheel is extremely challenging, congratulations on your pilot development, keep it going...accomplishments fuel confidence, confidence fuels skill building, skill building fuels accomplishments.
Fantastic Videos!! Just found your channel a few months ago and have slowly been trying to watch them all! For sure about the best flight training videos out there really appreciate the work you put into them! going to be checking out burlington for some tailwheel training of my own
K Hickling Right on! Tell them I sentcha! :)
I noticed when I started teaching people in my Taylorcraft people gravitate to wheel landings, probably because of the better visibility, but my mentor who flew Corsair's in WW2 always said, a good full stall 3 point is worth a dozen wheel landings. If a wind gust hits you with your tail up, you will turn into the wind.
Nice Work Chops!
You have the Best videos! Great job
Glad you like them!
Awesome video. I learned to fly in an aeronca 7ac champ. Soloed in 7 hours at age 16. Haven't flown in years for health reasons but the cockpit view caused a flood of emotions....thank you!
Nothing like flying low and slow! The Super Cub is an awesome airplane and a ton of fun to fly. This classic is one every pilot should experience. Your video is the next best thing for those who have not yet had the fortune to fly one. Thanks for the great videos and keep up the good work. #BoseA20
As a tail wheel pilot (I owned and flew) a Cessna 140) I salute you. I can really understand your feelings during those X wind landings cause man, I been there. Nice job and thanks for sharing.
Pat Glass Thanks Pat.
Nice catch on that one chops !! had me sweating it in my lounge chair. Thanks for share the moment.
Nothing to lose the confidence of the people around you than to nearly spin out lol. But as they say no harm no foul. Thank you for sharing with such honesty
That self coaching what you do is is impressive. I wouldnt have gone up immediately again after a scare like that. Good job on that.
silver20002000 Thanks!
Really good video, very informative and easy to watch.
The lesson you taught in this video really gave me a different look on flying. It's okay to be freaked out at times when you push your limits and try to sharpen your skills, but too often I'll get (what I call) "The Shaky's". Ending on a good note can give you the immediate opportunity to correct the mistakes you've made on the previous flight. I sincerely believe that not correcting those mistakes immediately can cause a pilot to have a sense of doubt for the next time they're thrown into a similar situation, and sometimes confidence can be the difference between freezing up in an uncertain environment and sticking to your training/gut. I know I'm a little late on watching this one, but the lesson is timeless. Thanks for really highlighting the human element in this video, it's good to see experienced pilot's get back on the saddle after a not-so-perfect landing. As a student pilot, I find channeling your confidence (appropriately) to be an essential skill.
Ps. I'm currently in the process of getting my PPL, and most my "flying" is done on FTDs at my work, but man does that #BoseA20 headset look good...
nailed it. nice one .thank you.
Great as always :) and educational !
Just learned to fly a taildragger, and YES you do not stop flying the plane until it is stipped. So far have not scared myself.....but still have many years of flying to do. GREAT video, thanks for posting !!!!!
+wn6904k Awesome! Glad you found it helpful!
Thanks for sharing! Im training for my sport licence in a Bushcat. It is a nose wheel, but I believe they have plans to bring in a taildragger which I would love to get my stripes in. Your perseverance to stick through the landings, and get back on the horse even after scary experiences is an inspiration to me.
Jeez, I had sweat on my hand just holding the mouse! Good flying, great video.
Amazing experience 'flying' with you, Chops! And exhaling on the landing, sometimes! "You're not gonna beat me Wind gods!" My only opportunity to have these experiences, from my armchair. Great clip!
That
last one was beauty ! Light taildraggers always keep you “alert”!
So do heavy ones :P
(and thanks:)
Great job Steve. I had a similar scare last week with bad aileron correction in a Sundowner. Came in with too much energy had a slight bounce for my landing and without cross wind correction got a gust under the wing and went airborne with a second bounce and it was getting worse. Applied full power on the second bounce up and flew up and away from a certain porpoising situation. My hands and legs were shaking all the way back to final for my next attempt. You are so spot on, the only way to learn is to be scared. But not so scared that you break something.
Greg Foulks Yeah, it's a fine line Greg - Glad you got through your recent scare. I recently heard an awesome quote regarding this sort of thing: "It is fun until the moment that it isn't... hopefully you can survive that moment." Kinda dark, but very applicable.
After watching this video, I learned about what happened to me when I first landed a taildragger. Landing a Cessna 140 with an instructor. My last landing for some reason started turning me to the right and off the runway. Luckily with quick reaction (a couple rough corrections, and input from the instructor I'm sure) we recovered. The explanation in this video cleared up so much from what I had experienced almost 2 years ago. Thanks and keep them coming! I think this is the only channel I actually keep up with, haha.
Austin Ford Very cool! thanks Austin!
GREAT landing in the end!!
Man looking back on it I bet this was a great days flying. Very jealous of what you do and I am glad you make these videos. I knew from an early age I wasn't allowed to fly a plane because I have whats called alternate vision where I don't have very good depth perception so your videos give a look at what it could be like to fly. Keep at it and thanks :)
What quality! Very inspiring :-)
Wow! Great flying, pal! Wooohooo!
bluestudio67 Thanks!
Steve, I can totally relate to your experience learning how to fly the Super Cub and scaring yourself. I've had my PA18-150 for about 10 months now, with a couple hundred landings and 43 hours under my belt, but I'm still learning and still have that occasional scare when landing. Happy feet I keep telling myself on every landing :)
i struggle with feet driving on the ground but learning
Another great video.
Great vid! I have been following your tailwheel training videos at the same I have been doing my tailwheel. I noticed I was making the same mistakes and these videos have been a very good for me to review in between flights. Keep up the awesome videos dude, if you are ever in the cold lake area I may be blue to show you some pointy fighter airplanes!
Looked like you had a ton of fun there. Very impressive to see from the inside like that.
irsute8833 Glad you enjoyed riding along... It was some where between fun and scary :P
Love your videos man. I'm not a pilot but I did take a couple Cessna lessons back in the day before moving to NYC. I'm getting inspired again though. Keep up the great work!
Haven't got my licence yet but I've done some 12 knot crosswind landings and it is quite satisfying when you get the left, right, nose squeaks. Nice flying.