Tail Wheel vs Skid

[geraldmorrissey]

Because it's highly unlikely my Patrol will ever see a paved runway in my lifetime, I'm contemplating a tail skid instead of a tail wheel. When I was much younger I rode in a E-2 Cub out of a farm field near home. The owner flew the plane for many years and took all the kids in the town I grew up in up for rides for free. It was equipped with a tail skid, no brakes and best of all, a single bladed prop. Up until the 40's many planes flew with off airport with skids and I suspect there is a lot of design info. If mounted on a stinger rod, I could convert back to a tailwheel with a minimum of work. Just curious if anyone else has considered a skid. Let the hazing begin.
Gerry
Patrol #30

[Isilverone]

LOL,,,,Gerry,, that would be like putting wooden wheels on a Jaguar. I would say that if you want to get that basic, get yourself an E-2 Cub and save yourself a pile of trouble and cash. 15min of circuits should do the trick to realize how much of a piece of crap it is.I’m guessing your kidding here so I’ll stop now.

[whee]

I considered a skid and mentioned it on another forum. I was laughed off the block. Basic response was “it’s not 1910 anymore.” If you think a skid will work for you then I say do it. However, if you are going to land at a paved airport even a few times a year I think a tailwheel will be worth having.

I’m based at a paved airport so...no skid.

[svyolo]

What is wrong with wooden wheels on a Jag?

[Bcone1381]

I have considered it, Gerry, but want someone else to try it out first. A piece of HDPE secured to the bottom might be a useful sacrificial surface for infrequent but necessary excursions onto pavement.

I wonder if the weight of the Patrol's tail might not make a tailwheel very desirable for moving around by hand on the ground, though a small dolly might be adequate substitute. If you try it out, we might better understand why the industry went from skids to wheels, but I encourage you to go for it.

[zkelley2]

I've fashioned a 2x4 into a tail skid once to get back to civilization after the spring broke. It was like having a boat anchor back there while taxiing vs the wide wheel. I had to load the airplane as forward CG as I could to get the tail to fly immediately on takeoff.
I cannot imagine why you would want to deal with that all that time.

[Battson]

Surely the improved steering, cushioning, wear life, crosswind control, flexibility to go anywhere you like, and ramp-credibility mean a tailwheel is worth having.

[geraldmorrissey]

I was hoping to stimulate a little discussion on this corner of the forum and it looks like I succeeded. I was beginning to think the Patrol builders were hiding out during build season. Some notable aircraft equipped with skids, the Sprit of St Louis, the prototype Spitfire and more then a few Pietenpols. My plane will be on floats the majority of the time. The rest of the time on grass. I love the elegant simplicity of a skid but practicality rules out. Perhaps after a few years and some time in the plane I'll give the skid a try.
Gerry
Patrol #30

[svyolo]

The Spirit of St Louis was designed for one thing - flying one long flight. The prototype Spit was a development aircraft. For them, a skid made sense, or was light and expeditious.

FWIW a lot of airliners have tailskids, or retractable tailskids. They are meant for "one time use only". For them, it also makes sense as they are "utilized" once every, I don't know, 10,000 flights? So far, I haven't used one. Maybe next week.