The author experiences the unique challenges faced by flight instructors in vintage tandem aircraft like the Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser, primarily due to extremely limited forward visibility and instrument access from the instructor's back seat.
This firsthand experience illuminates the exceptional skill, intuition, and dedication required of early flight instructors who taught in such demanding conditions, often without full dual controls or instruments.
Despite the difficulties, the article conveys a deep appreciation for classic tailwheel aircraft and the profound satisfaction instructors gain from introducing students to this authentic and rewarding style of flying.
“You need to keep 80 miles an hour,” Kimberly admonishes me as we climb away from Rancho Murietta’s runway.
I lean way over to the left and strain to raise myself in the seat a bit to try and peer over her shoulder at the airspeed indicator. It’s no good. I’m just not tall enough.
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