Aeronca Champ 7AC Wheel landing Sport Pilot Training

Kim Bevier instructs wheel landings. This is my first attempt at wheel landings in a taildragger, or in anything for that matter. Kim gives good advice and some history/information on performing wheel landings. I've got a lot of practicing to do to make this second nature (along with a lot of other stuff). We also discuss names at the end. Airport: Woodward Field, Camden, South Carolina KCDN. Near Columbia, SC. Oh yeah, Kim is taking new students. I have to say, if you've ever wanted to learn to fly, just do it. I was waiting for the perfect moment which would have never come.

[@jhettish]

Thanks for this video. I appreciate your instructor's approach teaching a tricycle pilot to converting to tail Sheel. what I truly liked was flying down the runway without touching. I wish my tail-wheel instructor had done the same thing. I had about 300 hours in nose wheel aircraft but was new to tail wheel. It's taken me a while to get used to keeping off the ground until all is well and then touching the ground. I didn't have much trouble on pavement but did on my "home" airport which was grass over bumpy, sun baked, clay. I also didn't know about the P-51 and not doing wheel landings. I had to think about that. Finally I didn't remember actually a P-51 doing a wheel landing. My Father flew in the Tennessee Air National Guard. For a time they flew the RF-51F. The "R" was for reconnaissance (cameras on board), the "F" (for fighter) replaced the "P" (pursuit) when the Army Air Corps (AAF) became the United States Air Force (USAF), the "51" stayed the same and the final "F" was for the (6th) generation of the airplane P-51. Here's another thing. When I was getting my PPL my dad told me that they did not do a "runup" from a stand-still position.. They did it during the take off at around half way down the runway before take off. With the 51 run to full power at a stand still (or on the brakes) it would nose over due to the 12 cylinder monster power plant I fly a J3C-65 with an 85 engine. I got my tail wheel endorsement when I was much younger, 77. 🙂

[@Showboat_Six]

I learned to fly and soloed a champ 7AC N85063 in 1976.

[@destroyerbmx]

I like this instructor. He is very clear especially when taking and handing control back. I have had some where I dont know when I am supposed to be controlling it.

[@ik04]

Great video and absolutely correct instruction. I taught myself wheel landings and the same words were rolling through my head!

[@chrisoconnell5727]

What an AWESOME instructor !! Fantastic video !

[@johndonaldson5126]

Thank you for not making us fly through the whole pattern each time. I hope to land a Champ in the next month or so. These videos and commentary are helpful.

[@gxlbiscuit]

great video of tailwheel instruction!!!!!!

[@btrealestate]

Thanks for the video! 1st rate instructor! Nice job on your part as well.

[@michaelb.8953]

Perfect timing on ending the video.

[@jeffcoaj]

Thanks for bringing it up - I forgotten about that but I got a good knee slap. Perhaps a conversation before its time!

[@charliebowman785]

I had one the same but in tricycle landing gear. Only very few were originally manufactured as per information given by our dear friend Buzz Wagner. Great flying beast, unfortunately a stupid broke it in Mexico and got killed himself. By the way, how long is this runway? seems to be eternal.

[@mmichaeldonavon]

I'm curious about wheel landings in pretty heavy cross winds. Years back, I was "converted" to the idea that 3 p;oint landings were better in cross winds. (actually 2 wheel landings). Reason being, with a wheel landing, with a high cross wind, the airplane will have a MUCH greater chance of weather vaneing, as it will pivot on the mains (with the tail wheel in the air). However, landing with the upwind main and the tail wheel, at the same time, will keep the aft part of the fuselage for being blown around. I used to always wheel land in high cross winds (due to having that lower angle of attack, but still had to fight that pivoting effect. With one main and the tail wheel down, at once, the tail wheel might try to skid a bit, but you will not be turned. (generally). What do you think? Always trying to learn. :) Thanks,

[@jeffcoaj]

+Michael Donavon Its different for different planes. Kim explains (in wheel landings 2, the 2nd wheel landings video) that a powered 3 point is better in the Champ because you don't have that dead time. In other words, when you slow down, you lose elevator and rudder authority when the tailwheel is off the ground, so it is imperative to get the tailwheel on the ground. With a powered 3 point landing, the tailwheel is already on the ground and there is not a transition period from 2 to 3 point.

[@mmichaeldonavon]

Sounds "right good" to me! My tail wheel endorsement was in a Citabria - I scared the instructor, as I recall. :) My first really bad bounced landing caused the instructor to say: "Ahhhh, I got the airplane - I think we had better try that again." Ha. Thanks for your comments. N-6395T

[@ars3nal181]

@@jeffcoaj Excellent vids and lessons! You know your Champ. I learned to fly tail daggers in my brothers Champ, NC 3686 E, and ended one landing in a ground loop, wing tip 3" off the ground, 35 mph crosswind. Had to land on left main and should have put the tail on the ground before leveling the wings. Very important... get the tailwheel down quickly.

[@jeffcoaj]

35 crosswind is more than I'm comfortable with right now. talk about maxing out on the controls.

[@ronaldmarshall4054]

nice video thanks for sharing.

[@jeffcoaj]

Sure. I need to make more. BFR is coming up.

[@kevinstone9638]

He reminds me of Ben Mallory from Charleston WV

[@sewcrazed6331]

Who is this instructor? I want to hire him.

[@johndonaldson5126]

Best comment: You're flying the CG

[@TheRealHawkeye]

Uhm, that's not true about the P-51 being unable to do wheel landings. Most Mustang pilots prefer them... Nice lesson, great instruction, and good video though!

[@jeffcoaj]

Correct. I think it is suggested in the manual to do 3 pointers ( or tail low 2), but most everyone does 2. And I think there is a difference in civilian vs. Military mustangs as far as weight and armament. It was the YAK 55 had to be 3 pointed because of prop. I probably heard him wrong in the headset (or did he actually say that?) Thanks for the comment.