rottydaddy
En-Route
Took a hop yesterday after work; pretty rusty, but I finally got some good control, slipping it on to wheel landings (wind about 40 degrees off at 9-10 kts). The evening sun was a problem- should've dusted the windshield first, at least- even my beloved Ray-Bans were no match for the glare. The Champ has a high windshield, so there's nowhere to hide, unlike in a Cessna... so everything was OK until the flare.
Started with a 3-pointer; easy.
First wheel landing was good attitude and speed wise, but I was hunting, so she bounced.
Did some more 3-pointers, then bounced a wheel landing again.
Bob took over on the next, with me paying close attention.
Then I did one, the right way. Chirped it on , chopped the throttle, and just shoved that stick forward. For a 200+ -hr trike driver, that is a triumph of the will- and scary!
But as the tail came down, I was elated- it was a good one. And I was rolling out just fine...
Then she abruptly weathervaned or something, faster than I could correct. Not sure what Bob was doing, but I rammed right rudder, which seemed to help at first, but in no time we were rolling left onto the dirt, the plane seemingly eager to whip its tail and put a wingtip on the ground.
Tower asked if we required assistance, and the Champ was still lurching and sliding, or so it seemed.
No apparent harm done, I got her onto the taxiway and had another stab at it. Almost did a proper wheel landing after that, but after 1.2, with the ground getting darker and the sun right in my face in the flare, I decided I'd had enough.
Bob was very sympathetic about the near-disaster, and the consensus was that it was best my first "excursion" happened that way- with him aboard and with no damage.
I had heard more than one pilot say "after it swings about 30 degrees, it's going and that's that..."
Now I understand that completely. As Bob said, chuckling: "That made a believer out of you..."
Another interesting thing: noticed after the flight that the tailwheel spring on the right side had come loose again at some point; Bob suggested it may have contributed to the loss of control, but maybe he was being kind.
Back in the saddle again Sunday morning...gonna do at least one really fine landing, I can feel it.
Started with a 3-pointer; easy.
First wheel landing was good attitude and speed wise, but I was hunting, so she bounced.
Did some more 3-pointers, then bounced a wheel landing again.
Bob took over on the next, with me paying close attention.
Then I did one, the right way. Chirped it on , chopped the throttle, and just shoved that stick forward. For a 200+ -hr trike driver, that is a triumph of the will- and scary!
But as the tail came down, I was elated- it was a good one. And I was rolling out just fine...
Then she abruptly weathervaned or something, faster than I could correct. Not sure what Bob was doing, but I rammed right rudder, which seemed to help at first, but in no time we were rolling left onto the dirt, the plane seemingly eager to whip its tail and put a wingtip on the ground.
Tower asked if we required assistance, and the Champ was still lurching and sliding, or so it seemed.
No apparent harm done, I got her onto the taxiway and had another stab at it. Almost did a proper wheel landing after that, but after 1.2, with the ground getting darker and the sun right in my face in the flare, I decided I'd had enough.
Bob was very sympathetic about the near-disaster, and the consensus was that it was best my first "excursion" happened that way- with him aboard and with no damage.
I had heard more than one pilot say "after it swings about 30 degrees, it's going and that's that..."
Now I understand that completely. As Bob said, chuckling: "That made a believer out of you..."
Another interesting thing: noticed after the flight that the tailwheel spring on the right side had come loose again at some point; Bob suggested it may have contributed to the loss of control, but maybe he was being kind.
Back in the saddle again Sunday morning...gonna do at least one really fine landing, I can feel it.
). Then we go fly some more.