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 result from failure to maintain aircraft alignment with its line of travel, with the center of gravity's momentum causing the deviation.
When flying with young children, managing climb/descent rates (e.g., 500 fpm) and using feeding strategies can help equalize ear pressure for comfort.
ADS-B In traffic information can be prone to inaccuracies, including incorrect altitude reporting and "ghost" targets, reinforcing its role as an advisory service requiring pilot vigilance.
Single-engine pilots are strongly cautioned against flying over large bodies of water beyond gliding distance to land, emphasizing safety over minor route or time savings.

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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.