If you want to copy the prescribed program required by the FAA for the tailwheel endorsement then BOTH wheel landings and 3 point landings are required to be demonstrated for proficiency. You must perform at least 3 of each to a full stop in order for the CFI to legally endorse you.
Dana I would think that your jet jockey did a 3 point more from that is the way he does his approaches in other aircraft so it is a comfort zone for him, rather than from a lack of experience. The 3 point mostly feels the same as the mains on first in a tri-gear. I can also see where many people would find this kind of landing easier because it has very little different from the tri-gear, even taxi is close to taxiing on say grass, with full aft stick or yoke, raising the nose. The slower the plane the LESS stable it is, not the more stable. Much more aircraft control is acchieved by coming in faster than slower. That is why you add half the gust speed to your approach speed when landing in strong winds. On calm days one can slow the plane down more and still maintain good control. From most KR pilots that fly now it seems that the "window" for a good 3 pointer is rather narrow, and it is much easier to sorta mix the two and come in tail low, then roll it onto the mains. A big bounce during a 3 point will almost always result in having to add alot of power, since usually the tail gets thrown into the air the highest, and having little airspeed left results in the plane dropping pretty much straight down, just like the tri-gear. If one bounces in the wheel landing, by adding just a small amount of power, you momentarily hold the plane in ground effect, and just land the plane over again. This proficiency can really be achieved by all by doing the high speed taxiing practice, and then doing short hops on a long runway, short flights into ground effect and then landing again. Get good at 10 feet and below, then the rest is easy. The KR2 is very good in crosswinds if you keep your head, because the controls are very effective all the way down to the landing and beyond. It is just easier in my opinion to ride on the mains to well below flying speed, and then have the tail drop slowly around 40 mph with no fear of lifting back off and good control already established. To borrow Larry F's phrase:"as always your results may vary..." Colin Rainey Independent Loan Officer Branch 2375 Apex Mortgage Company 386.615.3388 Office 407.739.0834 Cell 407.557.3260 Fax brokerpi...@bellsouth.net
