Started my tailwheel training today... Whew!

[Chris In Milwaukee]

So I finally stepped into an airplane with the steering wheel in the back today. Huzzah! Flying a Citabria at Wausau Flying Service (KAUW) with John Chmiel. He's a world-class aviator that teaches you to fly the plane, not the other way around. Fly by sight picture and sounds. It's amazing what you can "hear" when you pay attention.

First day is done, and my brain is toast, but it's been a heck of a good ride. The day started out cool, calm, and gorgeous, with my first landing being a picture perfect 3-pointer on the pavement. It's even on Facebook for the world to see for those who follow me. The rest of the day got gusty, and with the terrain around the Wausau airport there was a fair amount of wind sheer. It was a pretty hectic afternoon trying to keep the plane straight, remember my checklists, keep the airspeed up, keep the nose pointing forward, and put 'er down correctly. But all in all, it was a great day!

Tomorrow begins day two of the adventure. Crosswinds and wheel landings. Yeehaw!

~Chris

[Jflyer]

Crosswind wheel landings are my favorite.

[Luke68]

Being from Marshfield have you ever flown with Duffy? I passed my check ride with him, he had me take Eau Claire's 172 into a grass strip outside of Neilsville to do an actual soft field landing and takeoff. I had so scrub the grass and mud off the bottom of the wings before I went back to Eau so I didn't get it trouble. Tail wheel flying is great, just wait until you try it with a set of skies. Have fun Luke

[Chris In Milwaukee]

Yep, another one of those "forever pilots" that everyone should have an opportunity to fly with! The stories he has, too...

[tailwind]

Tonight I have 10 hrs on my bearhawk. The gear is the most forgiving gear I have had the opportunity to fly. You will enjoy flying the bearhawk. I also put 1.2 hrs on the plane today. I made some cross wind landings in that wind. The plane handles the wind very well. Looking forward to getting my time flown off so that my wife and I can begin to enjoy some trips in the plane.

[Chris In Milwaukee]

Day #2 is complete and I'm beat! Between the gusts, crosswinds, and windsheer, I am a mental mushroom right now. But what an amazing experience! Third day is coming up, so we'll see how things shape up. Keep it coming!

[Chewie]

It didn't happen if there's no video!

[Chris In Milwaukee]

If Facebook security allows:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152731518090734

:-)

[sbmurphey]

Awesome!! My tail wheel training was some of the most enjoyable flight time I have logged. After flying the Luscombe, I know my project would be a tail wheel design with stick and rudder.

[Chris In Milwaukee]

Wheel landings are fun!

[Jflyer]

You're ready for a sailplane. Only one wheel. :-)