Showing You How I Crow Hop My Airplane

[@daverohn383]

I just discovered your channel and I like what I see so far. I own a QuickSilver and an Advanced Aviation ultralight. I hope to see more of your content!

[@TheJonjonj]

Thank you so much!

[@sailor0500]

Enjoyed this. Thanks from Mike in England.

[@ph5915]

Great video! I've never heard of "crow hopping" before, LOL. Yeah, you definitely don't want to stall!

[@DreamChaser1903]

I always enjoy your videos. Thank you for putting in the effort to make them. This is very good info for new Challenger owners. I did a lot of crow hopping to learn the characteristics of the airplane. One day, I pushed my limits too much and ended up going too high with not enough runway left to land. Unintentionally, it ended up being the first flight with my Challenger. I was able to manage to land after going around, but I was definitely not prepared. I am sure I am not the only one who has had a similar experience. Like you say in the video, "Be willing to go around" is a good statement.

[@TheJonjonj]

@DreamChaser1903 wow thank you! I just subscribed to your channel too! You have a good looking challenger!

[@DreamChaser1903]

@@TheJonjonj Thank you! My channel is not as fun or informative as yours, but I am having fun creating videos and sharing them with my friends and family.

[@flyboy21345]

Being a private pilot with a curiosity for ultra-light and super-light sport aircraft I got to learn alot about crow-hopping which tends to be less talked about in mainstream GA flying. Thank you for how you explained everything! Great content, loved how you showed us your camera setups!

[@TheJonjonj]

@flyboy21345 I agree as a private pilot most GA pilots don't know of crow hops rightfully so! Thank you for watching!

[@petevenuti7355]

When I first took lessons, I remember every fiber of my being, my instinct, was "hit the brakes" .. I kept pulling on the wing spars to keep myself from pulling back on the throttle! I mean like I was hanging up in the air by a tree limb or something! Yes it's definitely a natural instinct it's hard to override, skydiving is easier. But the pilot that was teaching me (in the same type two-seater you have) just kept driving home "don't slow down you'll stall and drop out of the air" I got my own ultralight now but unfortunately the neighbors have changed their mind about letting me crow hop in their field. So the thing is currently hanging from the ceiling of my huge garage like the way we used to hang airplane models by fishing line from our ceilings when we were kids...

[@TheJonjonj]

@@petevenuti7355 well dang that sucks! Maybe take it to a local strip or airport and give it a go again?

[@petevenuti7355]

@TheJonjonj it's not one with fold-up wings and someone stole my trailer... The roads nearby are too narrow to get it through without completely removing the wings. I'm right at the five mile limit for my local airport, but there is a small private one I'm looking into. The problem is they don't have storage there like I have at home.. The neighbors old, wink wink, but my luck he'll probably still out live me. Hoping to find someone with a better place for it, there has to be one person that could still use it, something like what your friend has with you!

[@TheJonjonj]

@petevenuti7355 well I hope to you get in the air some way!

[@griffster17]

Thank you so much for making this video. I’ve been looking for a video like this for a long time. You’ve got a new subscriber too thanks to the video.

[@paraflamdragonruff9487]

thanks for the vid!

[@danmahoney4545]

Well said sir, power.... you have to get the airplane flying. Demonstration well done

[@TheJonjonj]

@danmahoney4545 thank you for the kind comment and thanks for watching! More to come!

[@danmahoney4545]

@@TheJonjonj you explained it plain and simple before you even left the hanger. If you do not have control of the aircraft, you will be eating dirt!

[@labeedghaleb]

Very useful tips, tnx. 👌

[@TheJonjonj]

@@labeedghaleb thanks for watching

[@techlifetime4098]

I had all of my training in tractor aircraft vs pusher like the challenger. I did a lot of fast taxi runs up and down the runway, just fast enough to hold the nose wheel off to get the feel of both the rudder and the pitch changes with throttle changes. I did this until it became muscle memory that the stick needs to do the opposite of what the throttle does. I think the biggest problems with crow hopping are what you mentioned, be ready to fly and you need to know how much that nose needs to be pushed if you back off the throttle or you will stall. One of my fast taxies actually turned into a flight around the pattern as I was pushing it a bit faster and it lifted and started climbing quickly. At about 30-40 feet and halfway down the 3000 foot runway I decided it would be safer to fly it and I had an uneventful flight around the pattern and landing. It is better to get transition training, but if you are a bigger/heavier guy like myself at 240 it is hard to find a very light instructor for these aircraft. I just had remember to fly with me feet and use small control movements and I found it very easy to fly (Was a very calm day).

[@TheJonjonj]

@@techlifetime4098 I'm glad you made the decision to go around! Turned into the day you flew your challenger! Thanks for watching

[@bradwiebe5692]

If you didn’t babble quite so much it would be easier to watch your stuff! I like what you have to say but it’s like talking to a girl , you’re all over the place. Otherwise it’s great that you take the time to share and you concider the fact that not everyone knows everything already! So it’s great to get the basics of how and where to start! So thx you!

[@TheJonjonj]

@bradwiebe5692 well I'm me and I'm not gonna change that but I appreciate you watching!

[@makedolife]

Great video as always.I started as you described with high speed taxi, and one day it popped up by itself and I settled it back down with gently throttling back. I then did crow hops after that and it’s been fun flying. Think rudder rudder rudder. My Challenger made me a smoother pilot when I’m flying my C-172.

[@TheJonjonj]

@@makedolife I agree 100%! Challenger with stick and rudder you right up!

[@wavewaker2]

Thanks for the demonstration 👍.

[@michaelsharp4541]

Great video. Please keep making them. 😊

[@TheJonjonj]

Thank you so much! I will!

[@jesseperez7253]

Awsome content, thank you for your time.

[@TheJonjonj]

@jesseperez7253 thank you! And I appreciate you watching and commenting!

[@jamessanders3899]

Enjoy watching your videos....watching from south carolina

[@TheJonjonj]

@@jamessanders3899 awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@sr71afan]

Very informative, and FUN! Thanks!

[@TheJonjonj]

@@sr71afan you're welcome! Thanks for watching

[@honeybadger4198]

awesome video!!

[@TheJonjonj]

@honeybadger4198 thank you very much appreciate the positivity!

[@William-ey6ok]

All in good nature….. I want to speak for us that are green. Go from high speed taxiing to crow hopping…….? That’s a big jump for us that are green. Can I suggest high-speed taxiing and the pulling back on the stick slightly until your wheels lift off and then set it down right away? Get used to that, then extend very low 1’- 2’ off the ground hopps ? All good nature. Don’t get me wrong. I truly respect what you bring to the table for us.

[@TheJonjonj]

Thank you! It's definitely what each individual is comfortable with!

[@ToddBerthiaume-m6e]

Awesome video

[@TheJonjonj]

@ToddBerthiaume-m6e thank you I appreciate you watching!

[@VerticalSpeed1987]

Awesome video. More instructional/technical stuff gives me more knowledge and confidence going into my new CH-II purchase. From Ottawa Ontario.

[@TheJonjonj]

@@VerticalSpeed1987 I love this ! Be confident and getter done! Any requests please let me know!

[@VerticalSpeed1987]

@@TheJonjonj Honestly, this is the first time I have ever seen the engine-out "nose up" result in a video! You seem quite competent enough to be able to safely demonstrate do's and don'ts of different phases of flight in a CH-II. I am a glider pilot transitioning up to Challenger this summer, so the more technical / procedural side of things I can learn about, the better!

[@EdBrewster-m4s]

I like your explanation for ground effect and really like your hangar door setup too.

[@TheJonjonj]

@user-ie6uw7nc9b thank you! I like your boat is it a McGregor?

[@EdBrewster-m4s]

@@TheJonjonj Nope, its a 1967 Sailstar Boats - Corinthian Model. 19 feet, full restoration. Lots of Teak and Mahogany, Sails great in rough weather. Deep keel.

[@TheJonjonj]

@@EdBrewster-m4s is it retractable keel?

[@berniebrown9115]

Thanks for the videos

[@TheJonjonj]

@@berniebrown9115 you're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@William-ey6ok]

I have a Kolb Fire Fly. I’ve been high-speed taxiing on a 1600’ strip. I have on my property. I’ve gotten it up to 55 miles an hour. It’s a little more challenging I think high-speed taxiing with a tail dragger pusher. it’s a pretty good balancing act keeping the wheels on the ground and getting the speed up and not nosing over. I have some flying experience. I flew a Quicksilver MX when I was a young man. This firefly is faster than my MX. I am about 60 pounds heavier than I was when I flew my MX also. It’s a thrill just high-speed taxiing . I like some of the suggestions that you made. Drive it like you stole it. Nosing it down before reducing power. I sure would like you to Instant message me because there are questions all across the table that I would like to ask. Before I knew about your KZbin videos I was using the information that I had been given 30 years ago ago when I crow hopped my MX . I was searching for information about crow hopping. There’s not a lot there. There are some people that say “fly it onto the ground” I remember doing that with my Quicksilver MX and it seems like I bounced a lot. I’ve been told to takeoff and land at 50 miles an hour. During my high-speed taxing, I nosing it over considerably to keep my wheels on the ground. During my high-speed taxing can I ease back on the stick slowly increasing more on different high-speed runs. My idea is to pull back on the stick a little and then nose forward. I would love to be able to do is just lift my gear off and set it back down right away. Please instant message me

[@TheJonjonj]

How do I message you? Are you on Facebook?

[@William-ey6ok]

@@TheJonjonj were you able to get my contact information? I tried to post it.

[@ffixrr]

I appreciate all the info. I'm going to be doing this soon in my first challenger 1

[@TheJonjonj]

@@ffixrr awesome! Just be confident and own it!

[@broughtonaktcjj]

Great insight.

[@TheJonjonj]

@broughtonaktcjj thank you for watching!

[@karlcounts29]

Thanks for the video. I found it very informative.

[@TheJonjonj]

@karlcounts29 thank you so much! New video tonight! Or tomorrow morning

[@jeremyjohnston5769]

Thanks for the videos. I am looking forword to my first Challenger 2 flight.

[@TheJonjonj]

@@jeremyjohnston5769 I'm excited for you!

[@joelbingham6754]

Keep it up good content

[@TheJonjonj]

@joelbingham6754 thank you so much!

[@geromieisom8167]

This was fun!

[@Notsoshadyacres.]

If I ever get my pilots license I’ll be flying my ultralight/sport everywhere. Your videos are good, I enjoy them. I don’t think you have to apologize for anything during your videos. As an amateur KZbin film maker, it take a LOT of effort and time to make a decent video. Keep up the good work!

[@TheJonjonj]

@Notsoshadyacres. hey thank you so much I appreciate these types of comments they keep me motivated to keep making videos!

[@rickerra]

Appreciate the video and topic!

[@TheJonjonj]

@@rickerra I appreciate you watching!

[@timgrant8729]

You have a new subscriber now! Thanks!

[@KimJohnson-zs3hp]

Enjoyed the crow hops. Thinking about doing this to gain some faith in the engine. Have 4200' paved to use.

[@TheJonjonj]

@@KimJohnson-zs3hp what engine is it?

[@William-ey6ok]

4200’ awesome.

[@joeyturner9687]

great video

[@TheJonjonj]

@joeyturner9687 thank you for watching!

[@alcourtines4707]

We need more of these vids.

[@TheJonjonj]

@alcourtines4707 more to come I promise it's just soo hot! Very soon

[@richarddubord3978]

Good info

[@TheJonjonj]

@@richarddubord3978 thank you for watching!

[@kevintengvall4642]

watching from Western Australia

[@TheJonjonj]

@kevintengvall4642 wow thank you for your support!

[@keithpearson1552]

New subscriber……. Great information

[@TheJonjonj]

@@keithpearson1552 welcome! Thank you for joining us!

[@carlosrodz1]

1700 views in 2 days and just 85 likes? Come on people, is it so hard to click on LIKE? It doesn't cost you anything buy you're helping the person who makes these videos.

[@TheJonjonj]

@carlosrodz1 my thoughts too 😆 🤣 thank you sir I appreciate your support 🙏

[@RobertParmenterJr]

Thats how I learned to fly.....by crow hopping...

[@bradrobinhancock8491]

I am very interested in flying ultralights. Just listening in to the radio chatter I heard pattern entry calls for Stephenville (122.8?) and Granbury (123.0), so I guess you are somewhat close to where I live. Where are you flying out of? I live about exactly midway between 74TE and TX28. ETA - Based on another video of yours (testing the loadout for camping trip to Ardmore), I am guessing Vaca Moo? That's not as close as I was hoping.

[@TheJonjonj]

@bradrobinhancock8491 I'm actually near Tyler TX I just have amazing radio!

[@333knbn]

Bought a challenger 1 with wires everywhere. Finally got it to run. Still a lot to do but it looks like a fun aircraft. How many feet to clear a hundred foot object?

[@TheJonjonj]

@333knbn there's alot to factor in with that question? Engine? Your weight? Where you live? Time of the year?

[@bruceprigge5212]

Thanks! :)

[@TheJonjonj]

@@bruceprigge5212 you're welcome!

[@alkempton1512]

Cool video,,what are the wing coverings on the challenger 1 ??

[@TheJonjonj]

@@alkempton1512 slip covers!

[@Sierranite]

GA pilot here please explain what are the reasons to do crow hops?

[@TheJonjonj]

@Sierranite in ultralight inspired aircraft or slower experimental people use crow hops to build their confidence and to get the hang of things. I'm also GA pilot so I understand the get up and away fast for safety but in these aircraft it's more low and slow! Everyone has their opinions on it. Main reason for video is IF someone is gonna do it atleast do it safely and understand the expectations

[@BillSmith-rx9rm]

You should have begun this video by explaining exactly what is crow hopping.

[@donwayful]

Cool

[@TheJonjonj]

@@donwayful thank you for watching!

[@William-ey6ok]

My ultralight has flapperones . Do you suggest crow hopping with full flaperons ? Partial? No?

[@TheJonjonj]

@William-ey6ok no I would do it at neutral position personally

[@griffster17]

Although I know that people are against it, this would help the self taught pilots out there. And although I know it is better to get training from a trained instructor, there will always be people out there who want to teach themself how to fly. And videos like this will keep them safe. And help them learn safely. I am pro choice when it comes to that too. I think that some people should get training, and I’m glad that training is available. But I do believe that people should have the right to teach themselves or get a friend to help them learn.

[@TheJonjonj]

@griffster17 well said! Yes please get instructions and be safe my videos are only opinions and should be treated as such because I am NOT a CFI yet! Thank you so much for the kind words and for watching!

[@griffster17]

@@TheJonjonj that’s good though, because you still do help people. Whereas most other people who want people to get training, just say get training and then don’t do anything else. Whereas at least you put out the information out there for those who are teaching themselves. That’s what I would do if I lived in America. But unfortunately, I live in Australia where you need license for everything. Even RC. There are self-taught pilots who live here, but obviously they can’t put videos on KZbin for obvious reasons. But I do know of some people who taught themselves how to fly and in both single and two seater aircraft. And wouldn’t have it any other way. So again, a lot of politics in regards to self taught. And everyone has a right to their opinion. And I am sort of in the middle. I can see it from both ends. I can see why people want instruction, but I can also see why people want to teach themselves.

[@buzzz241]

I liked the second half with Challenger 1 frequent crow hopping! Turn around & crow hop the other way as well. How slow does that fly? Can this be done with certified airplanes like vintage taildraggers? 😊

[@TheJonjonj]

@buzzz241 thank you for watching and honestly I wouldn't want to answer that because it's a debated topic and also I don't have my tailwheel endorsement so I can't put in my 2 cents on that. Definitely reach out to someone who flys them or a cfi! Or both! More the the better!

[@timshaffer3633]

I have well over 1000 crow hopes. I’m a firm believer in doing them, you can learn a lot about yourself and your plane. But like you said, do them properly.

[@William-ey6ok]

1000 that’s awesome! Were your first ones low and short?

[@62heliman]

Need to make some video stalling the challenger ll.

[@josephbarker91]

I clicked on this video because I don't know what crowhopping is. Now that I've seen the video; I still don't know.

[@Airborntravler]

Most people i see crow hoping are people trying to feel there plane or there scared to fly

[@TheJonjonj]

@Todpevy I agree with you! Some people need that confidence building.

[@brentsheldon8667]

Great videos. Your practicing a soft field takeoff with aborted landing. Practiced same thing in a 172 if you have a long enough runway. People should get flying lessons in a general aviation plane before they start ultralight aircraft. I think if you got at least 20hrs it will save your life. Take a online course like gold seal.

[@TheJonjonj]

@brentsheldon8667 I agree with you 100% thank you for watching!

[@marvlb]

The most dangerous thing I’ve ever seen, massive steel school bus beside the runway. Our Airpark would have someone put in jail for doing that.

[@TheJonjonj]

@marvlb it's a private Restricted runway he asked me if I wanted him to move it I said no because I know what I'm doing!

[@NeenerPoops]

Simply flying in ground effect is not what I know as a "crow hop." I was also always taught that ground effect occurs within one wingspan of the ground, not 1/2. Actual crow hopping is very dangerous and should be avoided.

[@TheJonjonj]

@NeenerOops that's what I said half the total of the wingspan is one wing. This is opinion and I've done hundreds of them because I know what I'm doing it's not dangerous. If you don't know what you're doing definitely don't crow hop!

[@NeenerPoops]

@@TheJonjonj One WINGSPAN not one wing. Research confirms this. Perhaps I was taught wrong, or the terminology has changed but you were not doing what I know as a crow hop. its simply flying in ground effect. But you do you. Be safe.

[@TheJonjonj]

@NeenerOops I'm not sure what research it is but half the total span so one actual wing is what it is and how it's taught but hey if you want to show me how to do it feel free to make a video and do it yourself? I'm assuming you're a pilot with a plane?

[@pcautoworks1]

Did you hit 40 or something?🎉 looking a lot older!

[@TheJonjonj]

@@pcautoworks1 😂😂 I figured you would have a comment like this!

[@pcautoworks1]

@@TheJonjonj just giving you a hard time!!

[@dennisbecraft1303]

Do you recommend crowhopping with taildraggers? I don't have my Firestar flying yet.

[@SsgtMcNasty1]

What the hell is a crow hop? You trying to apply something that only applies to baseball and horse riding to aborting takeoff? That already has a name.