Taildragger photos

[Student Pilot]

I'd rather the Thruster 😜

[Arron25]

 

My little tail dragger

 

[facthunter]

Rudder looks a bit small. Nev

[facthunter]

Double Wingers have a look of their own, but you often can't see much out of one.  Nev.

[Arron25]

On 01/02/2025 at 2:25 PM, facthunter said:

Rudder looks a bit small. Nev

Correct size for a Standard built Sonerai IIL.. Come in two variations As mine square or Rounded to give a 'traditional' look..

I can assure you .. I did 150 hours in 6 months in it, and lack of authority in flight was never a problem.

(Think I have mentioned before... PLEASE put a reference to what you are commenting on) Lyle 

[spacesailor]

I believe the ' Hummel bird' rudder is too short ( in hight .

when in climb it could be blanketed by the canopy. 

spacesailor

[facthunter]

Lack of authority of the rudder IN FLIIGHT is  rarely a problem with a single engined plane. T/O and Landing is what I'm concerned about.   Nev

[spacesailor]

On take off , the cockpit canopy,  looks higher than the tip of the rudder .

 

At 61 mpg , (98klm on 4.litre ) . On two cylinders  .

 

 

spacesailor

 

 

 

[facthunter]

The dorsal fin is there to energise the rudder.    The very forward positioning of the wheels will make it a bit directionally sensitive..   Done so you can use more braking . Nev

[Arron25]

8 hours ago, facthunter said:

Lack of authority of the rudder IN FLIIGHT is  rarely a problem with a single engined plane. T/O and Landing is what I'm concerned about.   Nev

Takeoff authority was not a problem.. just had to get the tail up early ..

I generally did a 'launch off'.. hold it on the line and wind up the 'rubber band' and let it go.. judicious (well practiced) quick stick forward movement to pop the tail up immediately... wheels off in less than 200m .. 

My landing in Soni was at near to stall, (the really low wing suffer greatly from float if the speed was even a little too high) raise the nose until stall warning just started (it is mounted just behind my ear) plane is the at the right attitude to achieve the 'carrier' landing..  with the mains just above the tail wheel ..At that point you 'followed it to the deck.. hook the tail, mains on, power off, stick into the guts to Pin the steerable tailwheel... because Yes once down the tail was shielded by the turtledeck...and had no authority at all

Did 150 hours after I learnt to fly it...with lots of landings .. never did a go around or ground loop (had a few of doosy's, but stuck all regardless)

A mod on later builds was a raised tail (generally around 2") to assist in alleviating the shadowing.