Instructor competency? Dual brakes?

[CraigH]

Re: Instructor competency? Dual brakes?

Happy Birthday Chet!

I've got a good friend of mine who keeps his Pietenpol at a small grass strip near Norman. Just moved up there a month ago. Next time I make it up that way, I may bring my book by for you to autograph if that's OK?

[Carl Ellis]

Re: Instructor competency? Dual brakes?

[QUOTE=dedrekon]Happy Birthday Chet!
In fact he checked me out for aerobatics in his Waco UPF7 when he was at least 82!
QUOTE]

If Wally let you solo his Waco he must have thought very highly of you!

- Carl -

[paulp]

Re: Instructor competency? Dual brakes?

Hey Craig,

If you get up this way, Guthrie is only another 45 min North. Give me a call & we can have lunch and if you have time mabey take a ride.

[CraigH]

Re: Instructor competency? Dual brakes?

Will do Paul. I've been trying to get my wife to do a weekend B&B in Guthrie sometime. If I ever convince her to fly that far I'll be sure to call.

[alwaysoar]

Re: Instructor competency? Dual brakes?

I've instructed in a lot of tail draggers, though not much in TCrafts. I like the idea of the right seat ok, but it might not be necessary and for an in experienced pilot it adds a complication. I've always spent a lot of time taxiing around the airport, lots of turns with and without brakes, then at increasingly higher speeds down the runway. Starting out with landings as opposed to taxiing is throwing a beginner into the most difficult part of taildragger flying without any prep. Good tricycle pilots have little trouble because they've learned to land in a nose-high attitude, etc.

Ed@BTV VT
TF 527

[Yellow Duck]

Re: Instructor competency? Dual brakes?

Still instructing after 51 yrs of flying and 48 as a CFI. No right brakes, but many times I wish I had them, especially on narror grass strips. But I do. Have two students now. My grandson and my son-in-law. Both doing well. But I do start them on the right side for a few hours, then move them to the left for taxi instructions with the brakes, by that time they are doing well without brakes.

[paulp]

Re: Instructor competency? Dual brakes?

Howdy Lee,

Glad to see that you are back from your trip. I think that your approach by starting the student in the right seat is reasonable and right thinking. It provides benefits to all concerned, consumes the same amount of time and above all, it provides a greater margin of saftey as well as allowing the instructor more control in the event of a "UH-OH" on the students part. I am frequently asked ,"How many hours to get a tail-wheel endorsemnt?" My standard answer is "When you are able to make exactly the same # of take offs and landings 20 times in a row!" (Bear in mind, I am the guy that prefected the technique of making 1 take off and at least 3 landings!!!!!