Tamed by the Tailwheel

In the Maule, the tailwheel first thing eliminates bounce completely, at
least if you airspeed is close to right. But it's always seems sloppy
to me. If you can tailwheel first, you can 3 point it. If you TW first
on purpose all the time, when you miss, you are going slam it on a few
times. Why do that?

dave wrote:
Someone else pointed out here or maybe on the citabria group about the
advantage of hitting the tailwheel first. That is, if the tailwheel
hits first, when the mains drop the angle of attack lessens reducing
lift. Is this significant? I suppose that if the landing speed is as
slow as it should be, it really doesn't matter. Personally I like
landing as slow as reasonably possible. Less wear and tear on the tires
and it's more fun.

Dave
68 7ECA
vincent p. norris wrote:

Believe it or not, it's okay to roll the tailwheel first.



There was no better way to get a pat on the back from our Navy
instructors at Pensacola than hitting the tailwheel first. That was
back in the days when airplanes had tailwheels, of course.

vince norris