You're right, Peter - it is easy to forget the early days, but...
I've transitioned a few people to the Rebel - some interesting
moments, like not having a grass field, only an International Airport
for test flights and training ! It seems to me that, if a pilot
has had good training in the first place, they won't have a problem.
They know enough to land even a trike on the mains first, and lift the
nosewheel early on takeoff, while controlling to stay straight, even in
gusty crosswinds. Those folks are fine - it's the "drive 'em on" cowboys
that wheelbarrow down the runway who have problems. They never learned
how to fly properly to start with !
Of course, anather big factor is the mystique that is being
built up about the 'terrible taildragger' - it creates a fear that
can prevent learning. As Henry Ford said "Whether you think you can,
or you think you can't, you are right !!" People do have accidents
because they are afraid of the airplane - sounds like your 150 driver !
There could have been other factors too - many people grossly
underestimate the importance of having enough cushions under you
to get a good view and feel for the aircraft. I always suggest that
Rebel seat cushions should be at least 8" thick, partly to get you
up out of the hole, and partly to prevent your voice rising a couple
of octaves when gettin out. (That seat belt attach fitting is in a
very sensitive area !! ;-) ) And, in the Duece, there's the
problem of wind buffetting your head and blurring your vision ....
(Also a consideration in the Renegade, if you don't have a windshield
directly in front of the rear seat !) All of those things can
give a disorienting and uncomfortable ride, and cause the pilot to
want to return to a comfortable, familiar environment.
I've been flying power since 1957, and gliders since 1959,
instructing on gliders since 1972, and have flown a lot of different
taildraggers (and a few trikes - wearing a brown paper bag with
eyeholes, of course, so nobody would see me ! ;-) ). I really do
think that the Rebel is a very easy taildragger to fly, although,
like all airplanes, it has its little quirks & tricks. I found the
Super Rebel to be even easier in many ways, although it is a bigger
airplane, and most will load it down with 'extras' that increase the
pilot workload. The basic SR is a joy to fly, extremely stable, with
solid performance. I've taken off on grass in 300 ft., with the O-540,
very lightly loaded !
You have taildragger time already, so the following is more
for others out there ....
The best suggestion I can make is - get a few hours in a
Citabria or a Cub, then get someone to show you how to fly the Rebel
for a few hours. Start on a grass strip if you can - it's much more
forgiving if you get sideways on landing or takeoff ! That bit
of dual flying can be the best investment you'll make !! You've
spent a lot of time building that Rebel - it'd be a shame to bend it !
Even folks who have never flown a taildragger can be safe in
a Rebel in 4 to 10 hours - and then have a lifetime of enjoyment
from their creation !!
....bobp
-----------------------------orig.-------------------------------------
At 07:16 PM 11/28/01 -0500, you wrote:
Flying the Rebel, and especially the Super Rebel on wheels is
REALLY EASY - not at all like some early taildraggers !! It should
be an easy transition !!
.....bobp
Bob, I'm sure you are correct and since I've only had one flight in a Rebel
I won't presume to argue the point BUT... here is a recent experience of
mine.
The plane I recently acquired (Bakeng Duce: high wing taildragger, Cessna
gear) was owned by a low time Cessna 150 experienced pilot. He had two
flights in it and decided it was too much for him and it had to go. Because
of this I was prepared for a squirly handling machine. Turned out to be
pretty gentle, very much like my 170 homebuilt. My conclusion is that with
experience we forget that we have learned to anticipate the vagaries if a
tail dragger and that for a person with only trike experience any
taildragger can be a handful.
Peter.
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