The author experiences firsthand the extreme challenges of flight instruction from the back seat of a vintage tandem-seat Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser, primarily due to a severe lack of forward visibility and instrument access.
The article highlights the underappreciated difficulties and unique talents of early flight instructors who had to teach in such configurations, often with limited dual controls and poor visibility.
Despite these significant instructional hurdles, both the instructor and student find immense satisfaction and a profound connection to flying classic tailwheel aircraft, which offer a distinct and rewarding experience compared to modern planes.
“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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