..................Is it practical or even sensible (during taxi trails) to accelerate > until you can get the tail up and run like that for a few seconds?
Guys With the Corvair (and I guess the bigger VW) engine you can easily lift the tail whilst standing stationary on the brakes but the instant you release brake pressure the prop torque will take you uncontrollably to the right due to lack of rudder effectiveness. When you do your high speed taxi tests don't lift the tail too early and don't apply or reduce power rapidly. Also watch out for crosswinds from the right that compound the problem. I reckon mucking around just on flying speed whilst still on the ground is the most dangerous time in a tail dragger. I wrote off my prop doing just that. Get through that critical phase as quick as you can, get airborne, go through the mandatory pitch oscillation experience then relax a bit. Finally pucker up as aptly described by Larry for the landing. After a few cycles of this it gets rapidly easier and highly enjoyable. Ya just gotta deCessna-ise ya attitude. John Martindale Family 29 Jane Circuit TOORMINA NSW 2452 AUSTRALIA phone: 61 2 66584767 email: johnj...@chc.net.au
