SNX1508 wrote:I completed tail dragger training last year, and I was taught that if there is a tail wind while taxiing, the stick goes all of the way forward, and all the way left/forward or right/forward for a quartering tail wind. Then the stick goes all the way back if boosting the throttle, momentary stick back if the throttle is only increased momentarily while taxiing.
I have less than 200 hours of tail wheel experience (most in my Cleanex) but I keep the stick locked in the rear position when the airplane is in motion on the ground. Forward (center) stick may be needed with
strong tail winds but I submit that won't be very often and not until you have considerable skills in calm air and then begin to challenge the wind. Here's some info to consider:
As a general rule the stick (or wheel) is held in its full aft position at all times when taxiing. The only possible exception to this rule is if there is a strong tail wind. When the wind from behind is strong enough to cause the tail to rise, position the elevator in a neutral position (stick amidship). This will cause the elevator to be at the same angle as the stabilizer and cause the wind to help hold down the tail. The stick should never be held forward of the neutral position when taxiing, it should be all the way back or neutral, never forward of neutral. Rule number 1: Always keep the stick back.
From this site:
http://advancedtailwheeltraining.com/tailwheel_basicsHere is some of my reasoning. The airplane is rated for crosswinds up to 17 MPH. I try to avoid flying in high winds. My taxi speed is usually somewhere around 12-15 MPH. Add to that the thrust of the propeller and then consider that it would take a pretty good tail wind to overcome both of those combined. Are there times that I will need to use forward (centered) stick? Sure ... but it's very seldom as I'm a fair weather flyer. Still, I've had a few of those days when I made windy landings that tested and even upped my skill level. For me, my stick needs to be back & stay back at all times while on the ground. I would recommend that you practice the same until you are comfortable enough to fly in direct crosswinds at or above what the airplane is rated for.
Just one curmudgeon's opinion ...
Dale Williams
N319WF @ 6J2
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