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Yippee!  Today at about 4:00 I received my tailwheel endorsment!  I'm so excited!  I went out with John (instructor) again and did three landings in the Champ 7AC.  The first one had a bit of a bounce, but I handled it well and was able to recover to a second wheel landing, let the tail down and proceeded with my touch and go, then the next two were progressively better.  After the third one I called for him to turn off the carb head for me (easier to do from the back seat while I have someone there to do it) to which he responded, "Well, actually, lets taxi back to the FBO.  You're doing great and you know what you're doing.  I'll sign your logbook to make you legal then let you do three landings on your own."  I instantly had a flash back to my very first solo--feelings of great excitement, confidence and a touch of fear!  lol  He gave me some final words of advice and emphasized the most important, "...relax, enjoy the flight, and just fly the airplane."  

My knees shook with a bit of anxiety as I held the brakes tight while he propped the engine for me.  She fired up right away, and off I went to the end of runway 34 at Arlington.  I phyched myself up on the way out there, going through what I had done three times just minutes ago.  Fly the plane.  

So, once I approached the hold line, of course, a bunch of planes decided to enter the pattern.  Since this little Champ is on the slow side, and I didn't feel like holding people up, I just waited for the majority of the planes to land and exit the area.  (just a few minutes)  So, as the last plane exited the runway, I taxied out, said to myself, "here we go," got lined up and off I went!  I'm always amazed on that first solo flight in a new airplane how differently it flies.  One thing I learned today is that the lighter the plane, the greater the difference!  And in this plane there was a huge difference.  So, the airplane leaped off the runway, to which I thought, "no tuning back now.  Now I have to do it right."  But no pressure, I enjoyed the beautiful scenery, watched the other planes still in the pattern, and just flew the airplane.  

My first approach was a bit high and fast--as would be expected due to the lighter airplane.  I did a bit of a forward slip and came in for my best landing in that airplane up to that point!  I did a wheeler and it was quite smooth.  Although I did notice one different sensation this time.  As soon as the mains touched (gently, actually!) and the tires screached the airplane had a very slight nose down movement, without any stick movement.  It was actually a bit of a help as I eased the stick forward to keep the aircraft on the runway.  I was able to manage the aircraft on the mains without any s-turning, as I had done in the past.  The tail finally lowered after I brought the power back to idle, and I was done with my first solo tailwheel landing!  Wohoo!  

John said a quick, "Good landing, Jason" over the radio and I was back up in the air for my second attempt.  This time my goal was simply, "do what I did before, whatever it was."  And luckily I did just that, but even better.  I was patient in my flare out and easily lowered the mains to the runway.  And again, that little nose-down movement to let me know I really am on the ground as I eased the stick forward.  Number two was done!  

Number three was just the same, another really smooth landing.  I was quite pleasantly surprised as to how smooth these three landings actually were.  I did have a slight bit of s-turning on the third landing while up on the mains, but it was very subtle and I was able to get it quickly under control.  


So now, as per John's suggestion, I just need to get out there and get more experience and practice.  But now I can do it much cheaper.  :)

Totals for my tailwheel endorsment

Flight Hours:  4.4 (4.8 including solo)
Ground:  3
Flights: 5
Landings:  27 (30 including solo)

Awesome dude! Welcome to the tailwheel world!

Congrats... and you couldn't have picked a better airplane.
Just remember: you can't ask for carb heat anymore... What I wound up doing was practicing that "maneuver" on the ground with the engine off, until I figured I could do it smoothly without dislocating my wrist or elbow.

Thanks, everyone!  I was actually able to get the carb heat with little difficulty, once I did like you mentioned and practiced getting it in the air between landings.  

I'll be taking my first passenger up this Wednesday, weather permitting.  Wohoo!

Don't know what you got your ticket in, bet it had a nose gear and yoke for control. So let me know, how does it feel to have the stick in the right hand and throttle in the left? Lots better....right? I owned a 7AC and have many hours in it, it's even more fun in the winter with skies and about 6 or 8 inches of powder snow. Think of all the great airplanes that you can fly. Stick in the right hand, throttle in the left, round engine up front, small wheel at the tail, for the most part is what makes a great airplane. There are some exceptions, like the P-38. Remember in a taildragger you don't stop flying until the chokes are in place. Have fun young man.
Bob

Sounded great. Thanks for the story.

Well done and congratulations on your new endorsement Jason.

Like trucker said, flying with skis is a whole new world. Some of the most fun I have had was to fly with my cousin, he in a J-3 and me in the Champ, in the winter heavy air, in formation and with skis. Was hoping to get a 90hp J-3 with floats, even more fun than skis, and it's warmer, but it may not happen.
Bob

Thanks for the kind words, everyone!

Bob,
You're sure right, for 240 of my hours have had the yoke in my left hand, throttle in my right.  The last 10 hours or so (including about 6 hours learning aerobatics in a Decathlon) I was able to get used to flying the "real" way with the stick in my right hand and throttle in my left.  Something just feels right about flying that way. lol  

Anyway, I'll be taking my first tailwheel passengers up this weekend, Wx permitting.  

I'm enjoying not having to file IFR flight plans and being able to relax a bit in an airplane.

Doug,
I bet skis would be a lot of fun.  Unfortunately it hardly ever snows here... and when it does, it only lasts a few days.  :(  


Oh, and the other day I went up just for some more landings, and paid only $40 for 0.5!  It's tough to beat that!