From: GLENN CROWDER <gcrowder2@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue Nov 22 09:13:28 CST 2005
Subject: Re: Re: Europa-List: Flying a heavy Europa XS?
Hey Chris!
I didn't mean to impugn the Citab, it is a very fun plane. I wish the
Europa could do
wheel landings like the Citab. The main difference I experienced was that
with the
Citab, you're never quite sure when its done flying. With the Mono, as long
as you get
the tail wheel down first and pin it hard, the plane is done flying and will
roll out straight
just like a 172 (with a little help of course). With the all flying tail,
you can pin the
tailwheel so hard that it won't skid and this eliminates any tail wagging.
If you don't
pin the tail all the way, then your'e in for a thrill!
---> I've always wondered why everyone says you can't wheel land a Europa...
why???
Is it due to the angle of attack on the ground? Clearance? Seems to me
you should be able to just like any other tailwheel plane (although I indeed
realize the Europa ISN'T just any other tailwheel plane....)
3-pointers in the 140 are just stupid simple. Flaps or not, your choice, and
come
down final at 60 mph. Flare, keep pulling the yoke back until it's in your
lap and she'll gracefully set down like a big pillow.
Wheel landings are a bit more challenging, as you come in faster and hold a
level
angle as you stop the descent rate. When the mains kiss the ground, nail them
on with a bit of forward yoke. The challenge is that 1) it is a very 'wrong'
feeling from a trike gear training regimen, and 2) if you have too much rate
of descent or a bumpy runway, the spring gear will happily bounce you right
back into the air as you still have enough flying speed. That leads to a
bouncing
episode that if not too bad, you can correct just by holding the yoke back
and turning it into a 3-pointer, or if it starts looking ugly, just go around
and try again. My toughest task to learn for wheel landings is nailing it
on with the forward yoke consistently. Done right, though, it's a pretty thing,
and I can hold the tail up all through the rollout almost to a walking speed.
Not to start a big debate or anything, but I find flying a tailwheel plane to be
much more satisfying and fun than the usual 152 or 172. I was all nervous and
uptight about learning to fly a tailwheel, but it really turned out to be more
a matter of unlearning all my trike habits rather than learning the tailwheel
part.
Chris
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