Taildragging

I had my last taildragging lesson nearly three weeks ago. That was a very good lesson and the instructor wanted me to go up again in a few days for solo consolidation, then some crosswind landing prior to sign-off.

Unfortunately, due to a mix up on bookings and my availability in the evening only, this meant that the earliest next lesson was Wednesday 6th September at 19:00. Also, my normal instructor wasn’t available so I was going up with a South African lady instead. None of which is of course any problem, just a shame about the lay-off.

So I turned up and had a chat. The evening was very nice with a gentle wind straight down runway 24. So we were going to do more stop and gos, followed hopefully by more solo stop and gos.

I got in the plane with my usual ‘origami / yoga’ approach of pulling my legs into weird positions! The instructor was fairly small and light – certainly compared to 6’ 4” James, so I anticipated a slightly more sprightly performance from the Cub!

There were already two in the circuit and I was going to make it number 3. So after start-up and taxy, I waited at the hold for a suitable gap, the started my take-off run. This went well as I held it straight. The tail was up sooner than normal and it was very light, possibly even flying before the ‘hump’ on 24 launched the Cub into the air. I held it low to get the wing working and build speed before starting a climb to clear the trees at the end of the runway (always a bonus!).

I was careful to remember to use co-ordinated stick and rudder – you really do get lazy in the Arrow. The circuit height has increased recently from 800’ to 1000’ due to noise complaints from the local NIMBY’s, so I was climbing until late downwind (which is pretty dumb when you think about it). The approach looked good to me and I think my normal instructor would have been happy, but my new instructor seems to like to keep it higher and steeper. The landing was OK, safe, but nothing to write home about.

Around we went again. Same deal, but this time, I stayed high and slipped some of the height off. However, I didn’t really get the speed under control and as a result came in with too much energy. There was a small balloon, not bad and a bit of a hop on landing. What is it they say? A good landing usually results from a good approach.

Around for a third and better this time. It was however a bit more interesting when the seat started to slide back in the hold-off! Fortunately, I didn't pull the stick with it and told the instructor that my seat was adrift. I still landed it and latched it properly during taxy. Actually, a safe but not great landing.

So around for a fourth with Heather taking over on base leg for a demonstration. She really was quite high and slipped it off with quite a pronounced forward slip before establishing a normal approach at about 100m out. I thought she was a bit fast and so it turned out. She had to hold it in the flare for some time and drifted off the centreline, but it was a good demonstration of hold-off and three point landing.

She asked how I felt about two solo circuit stop and gos and I said I was fine. Out she hopped and off I went. The take-off I have to say was the best I have done so far, it felt very smooth. The circuits was good and as I did the downwind checks, I noted it was now 19:40 and I thought to myself the next circuit might need night-vision goggles – it really was starting to get very gloomy very quickly. The approach was better but not great, still a bit fast and a bit high, so I slipped for bit then re-established the approach and held her in the flare. Still a bit too much energy though, so although no balloon, I had to hold off for some time then bounced a bit then settled.

As I was taxying, I was not surprised to be told to come in on the radio as the light was fading fast.

I got a good de-brief and two instructors aid my solo landing actually looked good and the bounce was only a couple of feet. I guess they are the experts and they know me well enough to know that I don’t need to be humoured.

I am now really quite confident in my ground handling, take-off and general handling. Personally, I think I just need a few more decent stop and gos and I hope to be ready for sign-off. Next lesson is next week and the earlier slot at 17:30, so I will have plenty of light and time. I really look forward to it and I WILL sort a nice stable, steady and slow approach and grease the bugger on!

It really is a good, fun aircraft and I really enjoy it! I am looking forward to my tailwheel sign-off.