Rusty Pilots

The weight of the engine is only significant in that it is part of the center of gravity of the aircraft, which naturally lies aft of the main gear in a taildragger. Therein lies the problem, especially while landing. That center of gravity, without interference, will travel in a straight line when in motion, according to Newtons First law, which is often called inertia. It is imperative that we keep the airplane (longitudinal axis) tracking and aligned with that same straight line.

Editorial Staff

Sunday, August 04, 2019 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Ground loops in taildraggers primarily result from the aircraft's center of gravity (aft of the main gear) pushing ahead when the longitudinal axis isn't aligned with the direction of motion.
When flying with children, maintaining climb/descent rates of no more than 500 fpm and using swallowing techniques (like bottle-feeding or chewing gum) can help equalize ear pressure.
ADS-B In traffic information can be inaccurate (e.g., altitude reporting errors), emphasizing that it is an advisory service and not a replacement for visual lookout or required traffic systems.
Pilots of single-engine aircraft are strongly advised to avoid flying over large bodies of water where gliding to land is impossible, even if it means extending the flight time.

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I always enjoy Mike Hart’s articles, and his well-thought-out approach ensures that those two rusty pilots (“A New Homebuilt And Rusty Pilots” June 2019) have received some excellent preparation as they return to flying. Mike’s explanation on the ground loop needs some clarification, though.

The weight of the engine is only significant in that it is part of the center of gravity of the aircraft, which naturally lies aft of the main gear in a taildragger. Therein lies the problem, especially while landing. That center of gravity, without interference, will travel in a straight line when in motion, according to Newton’s First law, which is often called inertia. It is imperative that we keep the airplane (longitudinal axis) tracking and aligned with that same straight line.