I went up for my first tailwheel session on 26 January 2002 in a restored 1947 USAF L-16 with
Tony Markl,
a remarkable educator and pilot. Before I took the 1st lesson,
someone made a comment to me about how the only time tailwheel planes are different is on the ground…
That may very well be true if you’re flying something like a converted 172, but this was an entirely
new experience for me.
As a matter of fact, my piloting experience had thus far been limited to traditional, side-by-side Pipers and
Cessna 150’s & 172’s. I’ve read that the tandem seating arrangement of the Aeroncas doesn’t leave you with that
“man trapped in an airplane” feeling but at 6′1″ & 220 lbs I really didn’t expect to have all the elbow & leg room
that I did.
The whole of the experience is definitely “grass-roots aviation”. It’s difficult for me to articulate,
but you’re mentally sharper and there’s more of a feel for what’s going on:
i.e. You pay attention to the wing & horizon for bank and pitch.
It’s not like you’re going for a ride in and airplane. Its more like the craft becomes part of you.
After a couple of seconds, you won’t be thinking about controlling the plane – you’re thinking in terms of
what “I” am doing.
I won’t attempt a written description of the actual instruction at this time since I wouldn’t
do it proper justice. I had originally planned to take tailwheel training to get the
endorsement, but I’ve learned to realize that people like Tony Markl only come around once in a
lifetime. If you’re planning on getting your tailwheel endorsement, this is the man to see. I plan
on returning as often as he’ll allow… I’m becoming a better pilot & my head is in a better
place for having spent time with this man.
Tailwheel-and-Fabric-Spoken-Here.com.
