Yesterday afternoon, after work, on a rare drizzly overcast day here in Boulder I went around the pattern 8 times in exactly one hour of flying time with my instructor Lyn in the backseat of the Citabria. And with that, I have now flown off my 15 hrs required for solo flight in the Citabria! I also got signed off for my tailwheel endorsement as the last formality. I expect Lyn would've signed me off long ago but since I couldn't fly solo for insurance reasons, we saved the signoff until the end. Either way, it was pretty cool...I am now officially a tailwheel pilot and I have to admit it feels pretty darn good! My choice to go with an RV7 has been completely and absolutely justified in my mind...tailwheel flying is a ton of fun to this ol' boy!
It was fitting that my last hour was easily my best hour. We practiced short field techniques, every landing was whisper smooth, and it was a kick in the pants. Days like that are what keep us pilots coming back for more. I was able to plop that plane down softly and get stopped before reaching the first taxiway on Rwy 26 at Boulder. Not sure exactly how far that is?...but as we went around the pattern we took a look from our lofty perch at 1000' and lets just say it wasn't much real estate...it looked like a postage stamp. Felt quite a bit of pride in my piloting skills when I seen it from above--of course with an assist from the airplane design and the 5 knot headwind.
Looking back on my training...wow, it was a steep learning curve and I cant help but think I've come a long way since that first flight. I still remember hoisting the tail on that first takeoff roll and watching with horror as the nose of the airplane veered to the left like it was a possessed predator chasing some imaginary prey off the side of the runway. As I was flying yesterday, I couldn't help but think how docile things have become...whats the big deal, the airplane now wants to track straight down the runway centerline all by itself, like an obedient horse with blinders on. Who learned...me? or did the airplane just magically decide to cooperate? ;)
The airplane no longer has a mind of its own, it now is an extension of my mind...and that's cool! It should be the aspiration of every pilot to be 'one' with his/her airplane, its not easy, and for maybe the first time I feel that way. I highly recommend tailwheel training to all pilots if you want to improve your piloting skills...I promise you, whatever your views are on this topic of tailwheel vs. tri-gear, it will make you a better pilot.
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