Land a Taildragger
Landing a Tail Dragger Aircraft, Not as easy as it sounds! What should we keep in mind to have a safe landing every time?.
Steps
- Perform a similar pattern. Landing the aircraft begins with a good landing pattern. If we are talking about an aircraft, such as a Super Decathlon, J3 Cub etc... An aircraft with an approach speed around the {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} (Please note it is a round number). Always perform a pattern as similar as the last one. (3/4 of a mile from the airport is always a safe distance)
- Warm up the rudders. After performing a good downwind - base - and turn to final approach, a great idea is to "Warm up the Rudders" which means deflect the rudders left and right, keep inputting small left and right inputs and prepare yourself to use them, because YOU WILL!. Let's remember that a tail dragger has the tendency to bring the tail forward, which will happen if you do not use those rudders to prevent it.
- Make sure that you keep the nose down or the horizon line around 3/4 up the windshield, this should put you close to your best gliding ratio, and will prevent you to enter into a spin.
- Approach the runway always aligned into the center line, which will give you the maximum separation available from the edge of the runway or obstacles within it.
- Once you get over the numbers, pull the power to idle, and barely pull the stick back to compensate for the loss of power, glide down the runway until you are maybe around {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} above the runway, do not let the airplane touch the ground, by pulling backwards, use the ground effect to help you glide, eventually you should have the stick all the way by your stomach, without being able to pull more, when that happens, you should softly fall into a shallow stall, with the three tires on the ground (three point landing).
- IMPORTANT!! Do not look just immediately in front of the airplane, look all the way to the end of the runway, this will give you a much more clear view of what kind of input you have to put into those rudders.
WHAT ABOUT CROSS WIND LANDING?
- Again, the most important thing is to perform a good Pattern, we have an extra thing to worry about... wind direction and speed. So we have to compensate so we are not either blown away or into the airfield!
- This means that you will come into final approach either looking through the side window (Left or right)so let's say that your runway is 36 but the wind direction is 030 @ {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}. Your nose will be deflected towards the 030 heading (maybe 020) and the right wing into the wind.
- You will need to find the exact amount of turn and rudder you will need in order to maintain heading 360 without being blown away to your left.
- Remember to maintain the nose down to maintain airspeed.
- Once over the numbers, power to idle and pull slightly backwards. maintain the centerline, you will eventually land with the tail wheel and the right wheel, with the left wheel still in the air.
- As the left wheel starts to come down, input right aileron accordingly so you keep the airplane from flipping.
- Once on taxiing, make sure that you keep elevator input with the stick all the way back when Upwind, so the tail wheel stays on the ground, and when turning make sure the stick is turned INTO the wind. If you are going downwind, Forward input will be necessary.
Tips
- Let's remember that good judgement is always the best insurance and safest way to fly. Do not get yourself in situations you may regret later. If you do not like the weather before take off. Chances are it will be the same or worse on landing, just cancel your flight.
- Remember that we are creatures of habit, if we are faced with unusual things, we tend to freak out or make mistakes. Try to always perform a very similar Pattern, that way, no matter where you land, the approach will be similar every time.
- There is nothing that says you have to land on the first try!! "Go around" will be more respected and admired than a totaled aircraft on the runway and a visit to the hospital for you and your pride!
