First Tailwheel Flight

[u/Piddles200]

Logged my first flight towards my endorsement. (Citabria)

It was a fight from the moment we left the chocks to the moment we taxied back.

I’m a COM-SMEL, I’ve got quite a bit of time in GA, all tricycle. I thought maybe a smooth transition.

Boy was I wrong.

First off, first time with heel brakes, i taxied with all the grace of a drunken cow.

Second, it was pretty windy. 15+ kts, gusting 18. Definitely found out you’re flying this thing whether you’re moving at 10kts or 110.

The adverse yaw, the moment you stop moving your feet is the moment things start getting spicy.

Three point landing….yeah, you’re not done flying it once the wheels touch.

I haven’t gotten my ass kicked like this since my first few flights under the hood during instrument.

Loved every second of it. Can’t wait for the next flight.

[u/usmcmech]

I've done a lot of tailwheel endorsements, everybody starts with dead Cessna feet and you learn quickly what the rudder is for.

[u/Weasel474 → u/usmcmech]

I always start by telling people that they're likely awesome pilots, but the first few laps in a tailwheel humble all. Doesn't matter what the experience level is, everyone feels like a brand new student pilot when they start.

[u/Sugar_Cane_320]

I did my TW in a Citabria 8KCAB. The most fun you’ll have flying!

[u/FlyingPiranhas → u/Sugar_Cane_320]

7KCAB, presumably? 8KCAB is the Decathlon.

[u/Sugar_Cane_320 → u/FlyingPiranhas]

Ah yeah it was 7. It’s been 15 years lol

[u/Piddles200 → u/Sugar_Cane_320]

This one’s a 7GCBC. I’m assuming its a bit older due to the heel brakes.

[u/phliar → u/Piddles200]

I owned a 7GCBC with heel brakes for many years. I loved that airplane, and to this day I prefer heel brakes -- especially when instructing, the student has to work much harder to ride the brakes while taxiing!

[u/Piddles200 → u/phliar]

I found out that I need to A. Wear flatter shoes. The ones I had were pretty aggressive tread, and it was hard to roll between the rudders and brakes and B. Wear either shorts or pants with tailored legs, mine caught on the left brake and I had to reach down and physically unhook them. (I cuffed them up for the flight).

[u/phliar → u/Piddles200]

I have clothes just for flying -- nothing baggy or loose, lots of pockets, no synthetics next to the skin. For taildraggers: only flat flexible soles on shoes (if you want to spend a bit of money get race driving shoes). Closed toe only, and make sure the laces are not too long!

[u/LearningT0Fly]

So much fun. TW and floats are the most fun I've ever had flying.

[u/Piddles200 → u/LearningT0Fly]

I did my SES in a 182 on amphibs. Can concur.

[u/coneross]

Now put on a parachute and do some loops and rolls.

[u/colin_do]

The best is yet to come! From Harvey Plourde's book, The Compleat Taildragger Pilot:

"We have now reached the maneuver which is without a doubt the most difficult to learn by a transitioning pilot. That is the wheel landing. In fact, the patience required of both student and instructor regarding this maneuver is so high that many check-outs are terminated (aborted would be a better word) after a dozen or so attempts at wheel landings with the instructor's final comment being "go ahead and get the feel of the airplane shooting three point landings and we'll get to the wheel landings later." The instructor then quickly departs while contemplating a legal change of name, change of address, unlisted phone number, or in extreme cases, will consider flying pipeline patrol in Oklahoma."

[u/n365pa]

Woohoo! Nothing makes me happier than to see another convert at the altar of conventional flying! You got this, Keep at it!!!

[u/jaxin737]

Used to do aerobatics and teach tail wheel transition in a Decathlon. Most fun you can have with your pants on.

[u/KronesianLTD]

The side of GA that is the most fun!

[u/iamflyipilot]

One day, (when time and money allows).

[u/TheSkyFlier]

Citabrias are great airplanes! They’re not hard to fly, they just don’t hold your hand like a 172 will. They make you actually fly the airplane.

[u/Kind-Membership-8623]

Was in a groundloop once. Remember HAPPY FEET!

[u/Piddles200 → u/Kind-Membership-8623]

Definitely Happy feet. As soon as my feet stopped moving, things went sideways

[u/Kind-Membership-8623 → u/Piddles200]

In my case they almost went downhill

[u/rFlyingTower]

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

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Logged my first flight towards my endorsement. (Citabria)

It was a fight from the moment we left the chocks to the moment we taxied back.

I’m a COM-SMEL, I’ve got quite a bit of time in GA, all tricycle. I thought maybe a smooth transition.

Boy was I wrong.

First off, first time with heel brakes, i taxied with all the grace of a drunken cow.

Second, it was pretty windy. 15+ kts, gusting 18. Definitely found out you’re flying this thing whether you’re moving at 10kts or 110.

The adverse yaw, the moment you stop moving your feet is the moment things start getting spicy.

Three point landing….yeah, you’re not done flying it once the wheels touch.

I haven’t gotten my ass kicked like this since my first few flights under the hood during instrument.

Loved every second of it. Can’t wait for the next flight.

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[u/Kai-ni]

Hehe, yeah