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To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

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apeterchristensen(at)sbcg
Guest

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 6:41 am Post subject: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

I'm just getting back into flying after almost 30 years.  I FLEW MOSTLY 

150'S but I had 10 hours in an Aeronca 30 years ago. I'm afraid I'll have 

trouble getting used to a taildragger again.  I could get a tri-gear Kitfox 

but I just like the looks of a taildragger.  Any advice for the timid?



Pete

wingsdown(at)verizon.net
Guest

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 7:07 am Post subject: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

I would recommend looking at the incident and accident rate in tail

verses tri gear aircraft. I decided on the tri gear and glad I did. The

old timers will swear by the tail draggers but unless you really need

the off field prop clearance why make it more difficult than it needs to

be. IMHO tri gear are safer and easier to get up and down. Now I will

get behind some cover and duck the incoming fire fight. 



Rick



--

Lynn Matteson

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 9:10 am Post subject: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

I'm prejudiced toward the taildragger. These were the planes that I  

grew up watching, and hoping to fly someday. They were the planes  

that I saw while watching the war (WWII)  from a great distance. It  

just seems like the natural way for an airplane to sit on the ground.  

I got my early training in C172's, a C180, and a Sport Star, but I  

really learned how to fly, and solo, in my Kitfox. My very first solo  

was at age 69 in my taildragger Kitfox. They are not to be feared or  

to cause intimidation. And then there is that "snob appeal" that  

comes when you master the t'dragger.



Lynn Matteson

Grass Lake, Michigan

Kitfox IV Speedster  w/Jabiru 2200

flying w/420+ hrs

On Oct 27, 2007, at 10:40 AM, Pete Christensen wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <apeterchristensen(at)sbcglobal.net>



 I'm just getting back into flying after almost 30 years.  I FLEW  

 MOSTLY 150'S but I had 10 hours in an Aeronca 30 years ago. I'm  

 afraid I'll have trouble getting used to a taildragger again.  I  

 could get a tri-gear Kitfox but I just like the looks of a  

 taildragger.  Any advice for the timid?



 Pete

_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM

Michel

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 966
Location: Norway

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 9:36 am Post subject: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

 	  Quote: 	
		   From: Pete Christensen [apeterchristensen(at)sbcglobal.net]

 I could get a tri-gear Kitfox 

 but I just like the looks of a taildragger.  Any advice for the timid?


	


You know that you have just open a can of worms, haven't you Pete? 

Fortunately Kitfox offers both trigear and taildragger; go for what you heart decides and you won't regret it.

I had never been flying before and for four years ago I bought a taildragger model 3. I love it and couldn't think to change it for anything else. Of course it takes a bit more to master the taildragger technique and ground loops happen faster but, once you have learnt to know your plane, you'll know its limits and after that, live happily together for ever. Just like in a fairy tale. 



Cheers,

Michel Verheughe

Norway

Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200

<pre><b><font size  color="#000000" face="courier new,courier">

_________________
Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200

Tom Jones

Joined: 12 Mar 2006
Posts: 752
Location: Ellensburg, WA

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 9:41 am Post subject: Re: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

 	  Quote: 	
		  I'm afraid I'll have 

trouble getting used to a taildragger again. I could get a tri-gear Kitfox 

but I just like the looks of a taildragger. Any advice for the timid? 	




Pete, If you build one, the new kits are convertible nose to tail.  If you find an older kit, if it is not covered yet, it is not too much work to make it convertible too.  You can fly it nose wheel for a while and always have the option to try the tail wheel if you get the urge.  There are some people that have converted their Kitfox to nose wheel after the fact too, so that is always an option.



If you want insurance coverage, it is easier to find and pay for with the nose wheel.



I was a 300 hour Cherokee pilot when I finished building my Classic 4.  I like the tail dragger more each time I fly it.  Maybe its just cause its a kitfox.  I'm sure the Trigear are fun too.

_________________
Tom Jones
Classic IV
503 Rotax, 72 inch Two blade Warp
Ellensburg, WA

MichaelGibbs(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 9:44 am Post subject: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

Pete sez:



 	  Quote: 	
		  ...I'm afraid I'll have trouble getting used to a taildragger again. 

I could get a tri-gear Kitfox but I just like the looks of a 

taildragger.  Any advice for the timid?


	


My advice is, before you make a decision, go get 5 hours of 

instruction in a tail dragger and see how you feel.  If you feel 

comfortable, make it a tail dragger.  If you don't, give it a nose 

wheel.  Either way you'll have an awesome airplane that you'll fall 

in love with.



Mike G.

N728KF

Phoenix, AZ

lcfitt(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 10:23 am Post subject: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

Pete,



I would go with Mike's advice.  Try it with an instructor and see how you 

do.  If you do get a tailwheel airplane, you would need to be checked out in 

it anyway.  I learned in a tailwheel airplane then after a couple of years 

gave up flying for twenty.  My Model IV first flew in 1998 with a hired test 

pilot.  I found that the tail wheel training came back very quickly and like 

you, I like the looks.  I destroyed my airplane a couple of months ago in a 

hard precautionary landing, but have never ground looped.  I guess by saying 

that I am forced to get another airplane because of the old saying - 

something about having done it or will do it.  I'd hate pass into the next 

world being the only exception to the rule.



Lowell



---

akanka(at)kiamichiwb.org
Guest

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 4:00 pm Post subject: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

Pete,

I suggest that you find a competent tailwheel instructor, and GO FOR IT!

The Kitfox is a gentle aircraft on rollout, if you make sure the aircraft is

stalled as it touches the ground, then make sure you keep the stick all the

way back until the speed is well below stall speed.  Exception is wheel

landings.  A good tailwheel instructor will teach you how to do them after

you master the normal, or full stall landing.



John Hart 



--

rexinator(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 5:30 pm Post subject: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

I just got back from the Copperstate Fly-In. I met Murle Williams for 

the fabric workshop. He and I had time to chat about Kifoxes and he had 

some useful advice. It was about difficult handling tail draggers which 

he believes can be tracked down to alignment problems. He mentioned this 

to me since I will need to check my alignment before my project moves 

under it's own power.

 My thoughts are a tailwheel does require more attention than a nose 

wheel airplane while the wheels are on the ground. A properly set up 

tailwheel airplane can be more fun if you enjoy the extra challenge of 

using your feet more and concentrating more. I'd say it's more about the 

personal vision of what flying is to you. There's something to love 

about any airplane if you ask me.

 I've not been current for over 16 years, even longer for a TD but one 

day I intend to solo my own model 2.

-- 

Rex Hefferan

SE Colorado / K-II / 582-C / still waiting repairs

Michael Gibbs wrote: 

 	  Quote: 	

 Pete sez:

> ...I'm afraid I'll have trouble getting used to a taildragger again. 

> I could get a tri-gear Kitfox but I just like the looks of a 

> taildragger.  Any advice for the timid?

 My advice is, before you make a decision, go get 5 hours of 

 instruction in a tail dragger and see how you feel.  If you feel 

 comfortable, make it a tail dragger.  If you don't, give it a nose 

 wheel.  Either way you'll have an awesome airplane that you'll fall in 

 love with.

 Mike G.

 N728KF

 Phoenix, AZ

tstaley(at)centurytel.net
Guest

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 5:47 pm Post subject: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

Tailwheel,

I know from my exp. that flying a tail dragger does make one a better pilot.

Not taking things for granted, like approach speeds and such. I fly off of a

1200 ft strip with a Kitfox 5 Sub powered, and no problem, but the numbers

have to be right or you are using some brakes. My 5 is really a pussy cat on

the ground. One just needs to pay attention and you do fly a taildragger all

the way into the hanger. No you don't relax on the ground but why should

you. If it is easy maybe it isn't worthwhile.

Leroy Staley

Kitfox 5

Subaru EA81

Love grass strips and taildraggers.

MichaelGibbs(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 5:59 pm Post subject: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

Leroy sez:



 	  Quote: 	
		  ...If it is easy maybe it isn't worthwhile.


	


Leroy, are you saying that my big, squishy recliner is not 

worthwhile?  It certainly is easy to get comfortable in.  



Mike G.

N728KF

Phoenix, AZ

Malcolmbru(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 6:00 pm Post subject: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

tail draggers do worried me but maybe that is good.  I  taught myself to fly a quick silver then got  2 hrs  in a 150  before I started flying a kolb, because I wanted some experiences with ailerons   ,then I logged  almost 500 hrs before I took 3 moor hrs in a champ  just to get ready for my sport pilot check ride and to get ready to fly  my model 2.  I now have over 70 hrs in her and the only hard   landing I have ever had was in my first Kolb when I bent a  landing gear. many tri gear pilots get into trouble ,what do they blame it  on?    just fly     and have  fun      Malcolm    



See what's new at AOL.com and

wannafly

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 53

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 6:07 pm Post subject: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

Pete



Sounds like my story...trained in a 150...no flying for 20 years and no tail 

wheel experience....loved the look of the tail wheel and went for it....I 

have a kitfoxIV...took 3 hours of tail wheel training in a taylorcraft and 

have not looked back...I love it



mic

C-FOXX

Kitfox IV

Subaru EA81

 	  Quote: 	
		  From: "Pete Christensen" <apeterchristensen(at)sbcglobal.net>

Reply-To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

To: <kitfox-list(at)matronics.com>

Subject: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2007 08:40:42 -0600




<apeterchristensen(at)sbcglobal.net>



I'm just getting back into flying after almost 30 years.  I FLEW MOSTLY 

150'S but I had 10 hours in an Aeronca 30 years ago. I'm afraid I'll have 

trouble getting used to a taildragger again.  I could get a tri-gear Kitfox 

but I just like the looks of a taildragger.  Any advice for the timid?



Pete




	


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Express yourself with free Messenger emoticons. Check out 

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Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 6:51 pm Post subject: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

Use what you are happiest with.



If you are planning on following Dave onto sand bars in southern Ontario

forget the idea of a nose wheel.  If you are planning on mostly paved

runways with the occasional foray into a grass strip, manicured or

otherwise, the nose wheel may make you happier.



Me ... I like floats. Although I was looking at the wheels the other day...

Hmmmmm.



Noel



[quote] --

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 6:56 pm Post subject: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

I had an uncle who asked me one day why I liked to fly.  When I told him

there is no time that I'm more relaxed than when I'm in a plane he thought I

was nuts. I think he had too many vivid memories of the tails of planes

sticking out of houses in France sixty odd years ago. Thankfully I don't

have those memories. On long commercial flights I tend to sleep the whole

way.  I'm glad when the flight attendant wake me for the landing... I

wouldn't want to miss that.



In my 'Fox I'm relaxed and at the same time vibrant and aware of my

surroundings...  The 'Fox beats the tar out of the C172 I trained on.



Lowell I think you are in the same boat.  You just like to be in the air.



Noel



[quote] --

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

tstaley(at)centurytel.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:42 am Post subject: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

Then maybe it should have wings too?

LeRoy

jose_m_toro(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 6:36 am Post subject: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

Tricycle gear...what's that???



I absolutely agree with you Lynn!



José



---

RRTRACK(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:22 am Post subject: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

I think for me it comes down to mission. I like the taildraggers for  grass field operations and feel I have a stronger off field airplane in case of  an emergency landing. But for paved runways I prefer the tri-gear.  

   I am encouraged by those like Phil Laker who have proven there  tri-gears can go into Alaska's strips along with the taildraggers. Good  technique and skills are important for both.   

 Mark

Kitfox 5 Vixen

912UL IVO

Hartford,  Wisconsin





See [quote][b]

Guy Buchanan

Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 1204
Location: Ramona, CA

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 8:00 am Post subject: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

At 07:40 AM 10/27/2007, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  I'm afraid I'll have trouble getting used to a taildragger again.  I 

could get a tri-gear Kitfox but I just like the looks of a 

taildragger.  Any advice for the timid?


	


Sure. Go get checked out again in a Citabria or Luscombe. If it 

terrifies you, then buy the trike. If you feel comfortable buy the taildragger.

Guy Buchanan

San Diego, CA

K-IV 1200 / 582-C / Warp / 100% done, thanks mostly to Bob Ducar.

_________________
Guy Buchanan
Deceased K-IV 1200
A glider pilot too.

akanka(at)kiamichiwb.org
Guest

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 9:45 am Post subject: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.

For what it’s worth, I’ve seen a lot of Cessna 206’s flying in and out of several of the gravel bar strips in Alaska that I used to fly the Maule M6-235 into.  The big difference between the Maule and the C-206 was that at gross, the Maule would take off with less ground run than the 206.  The C-206’s had nosewheels  of the 7.00x6” variety, and the mains were as big as the tundra tires we had on the Maule.  Also saw a couple broken nose gear in two different strips.  

John Hart  

       

From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of RRTRACK(at)aol.com

 Sent: Sunday, October 28, 2007 10:22 AM

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Re: To Drag or not to Drag. That is the question.  

  

  

     

  I think for me it comes down to mission. I like the taildraggers for grass field operations and feel I have a stronger off field airplane in case of an emergency landing. But for paved runways I prefer the tri-gear.   

    

  I am encouraged by those like Phil Laker who have proven there tri-gears can go into Alaska's strips along with the taildraggers. Good technique and skills are important for both.     

   

    

Mark

 Kitfox 5 Vixen

 912UL IVO

 Hartford, Wisconsin  

  

  



 

         

  

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