wheel landings

[Ralph Baker]

Bob,
In my opinion wheel landing are a good skill to have in the inventory and down here (USA) they are required for a taildragger endorsement. I too was concerned for a prop ding. Sit in the airplane and have a friend lift the tail until just before the prop would strike. That will give you a sight picture of how high it has to be. You will find it is a lot higher than you expect and way past the point whre you would take corrective action. At the moment the wheels touch it is only necessary to "stick forward" enogh to kill the lift and that is very little.

Do beware the balloon however if your sink rate at touchdown is to high and be ready to convert to a 3 point or go around.
Ralph Baker
(Wish we still had the Champ)



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[Wayne G. O'Shea]

How long's the prop Bob...it didn't look like a Borer to me. Tail would have
to be AWFULLY high to hit a 74" prop.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Fisher" <rgfisher@zeuter.com>
To: <rebel-builders-d@dcsol.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2006 9:37 PM
Subject: [rebel-builders] Re: [rebel-builders-d] DIGEST - rebel-builders-d

hi guys thanks for all the input on wheel landings when I first flew
the bird back 4 yrs ago it was on wheels and while practicing what was
suggested ie; taxying with the tail up I touched the prop on the
pavement
at the airport so , naturally I`m a little nervous

however I`m going to see what it looks like from inside the plane at that
attitude then give it a try

I`ll let you know

thanks bob fisher

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[Charlie Starr]

Don't forget that the landing gear will spring some on even a smooth wheel landing, thus shortening the ground clearance of the prop (as compared to just raising the tail to see what it looks like). Still IMHO, (at least in the SR) wheel landings in a stiff X-wind are my choice. I seem to have adequate rudder authority - using aileron into the wind, and have had reasonable landings in 15-18 kt (20mph) X-winds. But use caution - the amount of forward pressure required should be only enough to hold the mains on - not to force the airplane into (or on to) the ground. Just my 2 cents worth from flying a fairly large variety of tail draggers up to DC-3 and C-47.

Charlie Starr SR 065



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