Neal. Thanks. For your service first and for your input into this important issue. I flew for 8 years as a young guy. Lost power and survived a crash that totaled the plane. Didn’t fly for 29 years. During that time I built my own plane. A Murphy with 180 horsepower and similar performance to your Carbon Cub. I drove 150 miles several times to get 9 hours of refresher in a nose wheel. Begged a friend to spend an hour and a half in his Cub so I could feel a taildragger again(all my previous experience was in taildragger). Then had to muster the courage to fly my own plane. Took me like a day and a half for me to do that. I plan eventually to do the remote stuff because I live remote in Alaska, but not until I feel like an pro in this plane. And that journey should be enjoyable as well. People, the only way through that nervousness you feel when you are not proficient is fly, fly, fly. Do it or get out. To be fair to yourself and those who may fly with you.
Excellent video. I can't imagine transitioning from a modern jet fighter to a STOL tube and fabric experimental. You're obviously intelligent in being cautious with a focus on what you learned in the military. Great advice for anyone in a similar situation or just doesn't know any better. Thank you.
Thank you for giving back to the community with your experience so far! I love your approach to learning your craft in a defined & structured manner while respecting your own capabilities with an honest assessment. We need more stories like yours instead of hearing about unprepared pilots venturing into arenas they are unfamiliar with and unprepared for because it looks easy on RUclips. Far too many pilots have no idea what they don’t know yet. Many also fail to realize that those with great skills and experience make it look easy. They also often don’t realize all the hard work and preparation that went into making it look easy.
Neal, I just picked up my FX3 from Hood River and brought it back to TN. Like you, I had zero tail wheel time before Hood Aero’s training. It was quite the adventure, and I second the feeling of being far too fast and not as comfortable as I should’ve been throughout the high density altitude and gusty conditions that were unavoidable during the return trip. I fly for a living, so I knew enough to respect this type of flying, and while safe, I wasn’t nearly as comfortable as I need to be in anything I’m flying. The fear is real. I had to force myself back on the horse after a gusty wind/pilot-induced squirrelly landing. Forced myself right back to the hold short line for a couple more laps. Overall, amazing trip, but I wasn’t as prepared as I should’ve been for how on your own you are with ownership. No complaints, just affirming your advice. Is there anyway I can get in touch with you? First time owning, and I’ve been out of GA for almost 20 years. I’d really be grateful for a short phone call and a chance to pick your brain.
Congrats on getting your bird home, no small feat! Take your time with the learning. And you can of course reach out to me. I just re-launched flightinfo.com as hopefully a new place people like you and I can share and learn together so check it out. As you described the on your own with ownership, the peer support is crucial for us in this type of plane and Flightinfo.com is how I hope to answer that. Once you're registered you can message me if private comms are needed otherwise use the site to ask questions and share info if you like what I'm building out. Cheers and again CONGRATS! Can't wait to see pics of the new bird.
@@NealCuliner I signed up and donated $10. I've been a member since '03 but haven't logged in for a while. Am I missing something, but I can't find a way to PM you?
Great learning video. I have a Kitfox SS, STI wing, with monster shocks gear I have had for two years. Still learning how to land the aircraft without seeing anything in front of you. I just finished a RV 14A with only 27 hrs on the aircraft and feel very proficient. There is a night and day difference between the two. Thanks for the help and tips. Tom upstate NY
I think maybe i fueled your A-10 back in the 90s at alb inter ,kirtland. But just a great video with great info. No matter what your flying or experience What you say is so true. Show your pilot humbleness coming from a A-10 pilot. I flew hang gliders back then and now I am working towards buying a carbon cub ss. Pretty hard to find a good tail wheel instructor and i prefer it done in a carbon cub before my purchase. But I'd like to continue training in my cub after purchase. Even though I am fairly proficient pilot who leans heavily on safety. I never turn down the chance to learn from different instructors. Just because you have your endorsements your skills as a pilot always benefits from being open to continuous instruction. Many accidents happen with advanced pilot syndrome where a pilot thought he was to good to learn anything new. Coming from an A - 10 pilot what great information to transitioning pilots .
You need to go to byrds in arkansas for lots of fun grass strips along with other strips in the area.We are a bunch of retired continental pilots in texas with suoercubs, fx3,and legend cubs always looking for an adventure. We always do arkansas and idaho trips in the summer and fall, which you may be interested in joining. Also mike sasser,who is the cubcrafter salesperson in this are does some trips also. Have fun on your next run
Thank you for posting this! I'm not sure if it would be possible to speak to you, but I'll be taking delivery of an FX3 sometime in early '23, and it would be great to pick your brain as I get closer to the delivery. I'm new to tailwheel flying, and I've been out of GA for a bit of time, so getting some good training is an obvious must. Either way, great video!
The early part of the video seems to suggest that FX-3 are being broken when taken to the back country. The NTSB accident history does not support that. Nearly all FX-3 accidents are on wide paved runways and most happen to pilots with low tailwheel experience. The FX-3 is easy to fly but don't try to land it like a Cirrus. My FX-3 experience is about 200 hours in 2 years of ownership. I had 2 hours on type when I took delivery but had flown several other tailwheel types starting before there was any requirement for a tailwheel endorsement.
Thats a very nice airplane and you seem to have the best of everything yo do with it. Did you win the lottery or do pilots make that much more? Im a disabled vet, but even if i could still work, i dont see me being able to do all that.
Nice video. We are career CFIs with a passion for GA, who are working to use RUclips to increase awareness of key GA safety principles through #AQP4GA - Advanced Qualification Program for General Aviation. We’re fellow CubCrafters owners - we’ve got a cream puff 2007 Sport Cub. Hope you’re enjoying your new airplane!
I don't have any formal training program or anything written down. I suggest just coming up with something for yourself and/or consult a CFI to formulate something. You could also try asking at flightinfo.com where several of us FX-3 owners hangout and share info. I think TSquared on the site has a 90 day training agenda but can probably help come up with something you need as well. Just focus on basics first, slow flight, spot landings, various flap configs, wheel vs. 3 point landings, engine outs, stalls, and again, slow flight. Learning to fly slow is critical in this plane.
@@NealCuliner thanks Neal. I am at CC this week doing my first build. I would love to connect to get your thoughts on options. Is there a way to contact you?
Neal. Thanks. For your service first and for your input into this important issue. I flew for 8 years as a young guy. Lost power and survived a crash that totaled the plane. Didn’t fly for 29 years. During that time I built my own plane. A Murphy with 180 horsepower and similar performance to your Carbon Cub. I drove 150 miles several times to get 9 hours of refresher in a nose wheel. Begged a friend to spend an hour and a half in his Cub so I could feel a taildragger again(all my previous experience was in taildragger). Then had to muster the courage to fly my own plane. Took me like a day and a half for me to do that. I plan eventually to do the remote stuff because I live remote in Alaska, but not until I feel like an pro in this plane. And that journey should be enjoyable as well. People, the only way through that nervousness you feel when you are not proficient is fly, fly, fly. Do it or get out. To be fair to yourself and those who may fly with you.
Thank you for your kind words and thanks for sharing your comments as well.
Excellent video. I can't imagine transitioning from a modern jet fighter to a STOL tube and fabric experimental. You're obviously intelligent in being cautious with a focus on what you learned in the military. Great advice for anyone in a similar situation or just doesn't know any better. Thank you.
great work! Keep the blue side up
Thank you for giving back to the community with your experience so far! I love your approach to learning your craft in a defined & structured manner while respecting your own capabilities with an honest assessment. We need more stories like yours instead of hearing about unprepared pilots venturing into arenas they are unfamiliar with and unprepared for because it looks easy on RUclips. Far too many pilots have no idea what they don’t know yet. Many also fail to realize that those with great skills and experience make it look easy. They also often don’t realize all the hard work and preparation that went into making it look easy.
Tres Clinton is a CFI that trains in Carbon Cubs down in Burnet, TX. Great guy and instructor.
Neal, I just picked up my FX3 from Hood River and brought it back to TN. Like you, I had zero tail wheel time before Hood Aero’s training.
It was quite the adventure, and I second the feeling of being far too fast and not as comfortable as I should’ve been throughout the high density altitude and gusty conditions that were unavoidable during the return trip.
I fly for a living, so I knew enough to respect this type of flying, and while safe, I wasn’t nearly as comfortable as I need to be in anything I’m flying. The fear is real. I had to force myself back on the horse after a gusty wind/pilot-induced squirrelly landing. Forced myself right back to the hold short line for a couple more laps.
Overall, amazing trip, but I wasn’t as prepared as I should’ve been for how on your own you are with ownership. No complaints, just affirming your advice.
Is there anyway I can get in touch with you? First time owning, and I’ve been out of GA for almost 20 years.
I’d really be grateful for a short phone call and a chance to pick your brain.
Congrats on getting your bird home, no small feat! Take your time with the learning. And you can of course reach out to me. I just re-launched flightinfo.com as hopefully a new place people like you and I can share and learn together so check it out. As you described the on your own with ownership, the peer support is crucial for us in this type of plane and Flightinfo.com is how I hope to answer that. Once you're registered you can message me if private comms are needed otherwise use the site to ask questions and share info if you like what I'm building out. Cheers and again CONGRATS! Can't wait to see pics of the new bird.
@@NealCuliner I signed up and donated $10. I've been a member since '03 but haven't logged in for a while. Am I missing something, but I can't find a way to PM you?
Good video. Great to see you giving back with your tutorials.
Thank you for your service. And love the A10 🇺🇸🇺🇸
We all love the A10. Those things saved our lives so often. The other one is the Apache. Those two are the only reason a lot of us are still alive.
This is the video I have been looking for. Thanks for sharing!
Great learning video. I have a Kitfox SS, STI wing, with monster shocks gear I have had for two years. Still learning how to land the aircraft without seeing anything in front of you. I just finished a RV 14A with only 27 hrs on the aircraft and feel very proficient. There is a night and day difference between the two. Thanks for the help and tips. Tom upstate NY
I think maybe i fueled your A-10 back in the 90s at alb inter ,kirtland. But just a great video with great info. No matter what your flying or experience
What you say is so true. Show your pilot humbleness coming from a A-10 pilot. I flew hang gliders back then and now I am working towards buying a carbon cub ss. Pretty hard to find a good tail wheel instructor and i prefer it done in a carbon cub before my purchase. But I'd like to continue training in my cub after purchase. Even though I am fairly proficient pilot who leans heavily on safety. I never turn down the chance to learn from different instructors. Just because you have your endorsements your skills as a pilot always benefits from being open to continuous instruction. Many accidents happen with advanced pilot syndrome where a pilot thought he was to good to learn anything new. Coming from an A - 10 pilot what great information to transitioning pilots .
Excellent video sir with great information!
You need to go to byrds in arkansas for lots of fun grass strips along with other strips in the area.We are a bunch of retired continental pilots in texas with suoercubs, fx3,and legend cubs always looking for an adventure. We always do arkansas and idaho trips in the summer and fall, which you may be interested in joining. Also mike sasser,who is the cubcrafter salesperson in this are does some trips also. Have fun on your next run
Thanks, definitely something on my list (all you mentioned). Would love to get a group together or join in on groups that go and have some fun.
Thanks for the great video!
Thank you for posting this! I'm not sure if it would be possible to speak to you, but I'll be taking delivery of an FX3 sometime in early '23, and it would be great to pick your brain as I get closer to the delivery. I'm new to tailwheel flying, and I've been out of GA for a bit of time, so getting some good training is an obvious must. Either way, great video!
Good job on the video! Great info...
The early part of the video seems to suggest that FX-3 are being broken when taken to the back country. The NTSB accident history does not support that. Nearly all FX-3 accidents are on wide paved runways and most happen to pilots with low tailwheel experience. The FX-3 is easy to fly but don't try to land it like a Cirrus. My FX-3 experience is about 200 hours in 2 years of ownership. I had 2 hours on type when I took delivery but had flown several other tailwheel types starting before there was any requirement for a tailwheel endorsement.
I owe my life to A-10 jockeys. Thank you, sir.
Very kind of you. Thank YOU.
Thats a very nice airplane and you seem to have the best of everything yo do with it. Did you win the lottery or do pilots make that much more? Im a disabled vet, but even if i could still work, i dont see me being able to do all that.
Thank you.
Nice video. We are career CFIs with a passion for GA, who are working to use RUclips to increase awareness of key GA safety principles through #AQP4GA - Advanced Qualification Program for General Aviation. We’re fellow CubCrafters owners - we’ve got a cream puff 2007 Sport Cub. Hope you’re enjoying your new airplane!
Thank you. Feel free to join us at flightinfo.com
Neal would u mind sharing ur training program for ur FX3?
I don't have any formal training program or anything written down. I suggest just coming up with something for yourself and/or consult a CFI to formulate something. You could also try asking at flightinfo.com where several of us FX-3 owners hangout and share info. I think TSquared on the site has a 90 day training agenda but can probably help come up with something you need as well. Just focus on basics first, slow flight, spot landings, various flap configs, wheel vs. 3 point landings, engine outs, stalls, and again, slow flight. Learning to fly slow is critical in this plane.
@@NealCuliner thanks Neal. I am at CC this week doing my first build. I would love to connect to get your thoughts on options. Is there a way to contact you?
neal.culiner@gmail.com
Enjoy your build!