Taildraggers Impossible to Taxi?

[Mattace64]

Seriously has anyone had any luck with this at all??  I know about the differential brakes...  There are two ways to control them as I understand it...  Right and left buttons on the keyboard (F11 & F12 I think), and also turning the rudder and pressing the brake.  However neither gives me good enough control to actually get down the taxi way, or even the runway for that matter.  

Any advise?

[Gypsy_Baron]

Seriously has anyone had any luck with this at all??  I know about the differential brakes...  There are two ways to control them as I understand it...  Right and left buttons on the keyboard (F11 & F12 I think), and also turning the rudder and pressing the brake.  However neither gives me good enough control to actually get down the taxi way, or even the runway for that matter.  

Any advise?

Practice

Also, I always add three 'camera definition' in all my aircraft that
allows me to switch positions in the VC at a flick of my thumb.
Usually I set them to 'right seat' 'console/ECU' and 'overhead panel'.
In single seat tail draggers I set the 'overhead panel' camera view
to be an elevated pilots view, looking over the cowling. This gives
me a better view down the taxiway or runway.
I have rudder pedals so it's a bit easier to use the differential brakes
but I still ocassionally find it hard to stay centered, so your not alone

   Paul

[dave3cu]

Re: Differential brakes: FS2004 used F11/F12, FSX uses Num(*)/Num(-).

Like Paul, I find changing your view helps. I prefer to hang my head out the side until the tail lifts up. I use the 'Eyepoint' controls, Ctrl+Shift+(Enter or Backspace) moves left or right, Ctrl+Space recenters. I have a spare hat switch assigned to Eyepoint control.

Of course, this doesn't help with the actual control, so the first thing I do with any new taildragger is have my mechanic install a 'tiller' kit on the tail wheel.

[Hagar]

Basically, I set up the view from the rear of the aircraft and just taxi around the airport trying to to stay centered on the yellow stripe.

This is not at all realistic. With most taildraggers it's not possible to see over the nose from the pilot's seat, much like the view in FS. They would not normally be taxied in a straight line. It's usual practice to veer weave from side to side when taxying to give the pilot a clear view ahead. http://video.aol.com/video-detail/wing-tips-taxi-tail-dragger/3801593676

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8tC90wnd24E

[Hagar]

Just thought it worth mentioning Dave.

Also, I thought the pilot could look out of the sides of the taildragger to keep it straight... Maybe that was bi-planes (???)

This is possible with open cockpits but you still can't see straight ahead. Taildraggers would not normally be taxied in a straight line.

[newberiffic]

be glad its not a full castering tailwheel.

My real plane ground loops so fast I can parallel park it...

seriously,, just practice practice practice.

There is an old saying " you arent finished flying a tailwheel until its in the hangar "

[newberiffic]

My biplane tailwheel is taxied straight? I have a lexan floor that makes it nice to follow the yellow line but other than that just a few gentle turns left and right to see whats in front of you now and then is all it takes.  

Stagger taxi is the taxing in a dogtrack "not straight"... most real pilots dont do it its hard on tires and brakes.

Just thought it worth mentioning Dave.

Also, I thought the pilot could look out of the sides of the taildragger to keep it straight... Maybe that was bi-planes (???)

This is possible with open cockpits but you still can't see straight ahead. Taildraggers would not normally be taxied in a straight line.

[Mattace64]

Thanks for the feeback, I think practice is the answer...  I'll add that I'm not having trouble with my field of view, its mainly just control.  I cant taxi straight or in a staggered pattern... but getting better.  Some planes are easier than others, the DC-3 seems to be the easiest to me.