All this discussion of late reminded me of a time that I landed my KR in Indiana for a local EAA event. When the hot dogs and roasted corn were gone and it was time to leave, one of the good follows from the chapter asked how I intended to leave with only half a tail wheel. It appeared that at some point in my journey the tail wheel bearings quit and my wheel had been ground in half. After unsuccessfully looking for an hour for a sacrificial shopping cart, I decided to continue my flight home to Michigan. I explained to the puzzled onlooker that if I had taxied in without knowing the tail wheel had failed, that I could continue in the same condition. At that point I hopped in and taxied out using differential braking and forward pressure on the stick to keep the weight off the tail.
Over the years I have found that it is not as important that I fly a taildragger or a nose wheel aircraft, but what is most important is that I learn and practice which ever one I use, so that I am safe. Be safe and finish those KR's. I ordered a new cam from GPASC yesterday. Orma
