Novice taildragger pilot and a/c

WBerry · Post by **WBerry** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 10:19 pm

Hi,
I'm looking into getting an a/c, probably a taildragger. But I don't have any taildragger experience thus far.

The types that spring to mind are Jodels, Emeraudes and there are a couple of Rollason Condors available too.

Does anyone know how they compare for the novice taildragger pilot, or compare in general? On paper, their specs appear similar.

Cheers.

Brian Hope · Post by **Brian Hope** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 11:35 pm

I admit I am biased but the Jodel has better short field performance than either the Condor or the Emeraude, it is also a little faster in the cruise on slightly less power. Condor and Emeraude both have wider, hence roomier cockpits. Never properly flown an Emeraude but have been in one. Suspect that like the Jodel and Condor it is not difficult to fly, the view out for all of them on the ground and in the air is good, no need to weave about to see where you are going when taxiing. Suggest you try and have a go in each type before you make a decision, and take an inspector with you to give your chosen aircraft a good looking over before you part with any money. Wood and fabric aeroplanes will suffer quite badly if they haven't been looked after properly. Good luck.

Mike Cross · Post by **Mike Cross** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 6:54 am

You might also like to consider the likes of Taylorcraft or Luscombes. Taylorcraft are pretty amazing, they'll take off and land in much shorter fields than a Luscombe while having similar performance. However they are best hangared while a Luscombe 8E being all metal can be kept outside. Then you have Cessna 120, also metal. All of these despite being production aircraft are available on Permits.

pillpoppinpilot · Post by **pillpoppinpilot** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 10:05 am

Hi WBerry

As Brian says Jodels are the buisness!

I have a Jodel D117 and by coincidence also live in Sywell. If you want to try one out for size let me know. I fly from Tower Farm, Wollaston. E-mail me at tandssmith (at) btinternet.com .

Regards

Tony

gasax · Post by **gasax** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 6:36 pm

I bought an Eemeraude when I had 100hrs. Did about 10 hours odd 'conversion' in cubs and then 400 odd in the Emeraude.

In the days when flying an aircraft was more important than radios and procedures everyone learnt in these aircraft. So long as you want to fly and not 'drive' a light aircraft there is no reason you cannot learn to fly one of these aircraft well.

In every likelihood it will make you a better handling pilot. Try one and see.

WBerry · Post by **WBerry** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 7:23 pm

Luscombes and Taylocraft, I'm sure are great planes, but for me its Lo-wing or No-wing.

WBerry · Post by **WBerry** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 7:26 pm

Great advice everyone.

So does anyone know a big spirited Emaraude/Condor owner based in the midlands?

WBerry · Post by **WBerry** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 7:49 pm

And what about height limitations on these types. I hear Jodels are poor if you're over 6ft?

Trevor Harvey · Post by **Trevor Harvey** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 7:56 pm

I believe there is an Emeraude for sale in Wiltshire.
I bought mine in April with about 80 hrs total inc PPL (Cessna 152)
It took me 12 hrs to convert but at the age of 68 I'm not surprised.
With this "summer wx" I've only done a total of 40hrs in it. I love it, it is extremely easy to fly, Unlike the Jodels it has a "proper" pair of sticks not the Y shaped single device. There is room enough for myself at 140lb & 200lb pax. Cruise 90knots+ at 20litre/hr. I've had it into a fairly short strip, 290metres, trees & fences, I've landed it in 15kt crosswind. For a taildragger I think it must be very forgiving, or I've been lucky, or (unlikely) I can fly it better than I thought.
As a "first" taildragger I can't fault it.

Redwing · Post by **Redwing** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 1:05 am

The Emeraudes a great fun aircraft, a few hours with an LAA coach should have you feeling very comfortable, although I wouldnt tackle a strip as short as the 300m mentioned above, with my own level of experience.

Here's a cracking example

http://www.afors.com/index.php?page=adv ... 405&imid=0

Visiting Glenforsa

Flying!

WBerry · Post by **WBerry** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:57 am

And what about rate of decent/flap effectiveness. I've heard Jodel flaps aren't great and that they have a shallow approach slope. I think that would make flaring over the numbers a tricky business.

Nick Allen · Post by **Nick Allen** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 12:11 pm

I've heard Jodel flaps aren't great

I've heard Jodel flaps are mostly non-existent...

Look at the post headed "Practice makes perfect: Dead stick technique!" (25 Sept) for a link to some precision side-slipping!

Trevor Harvey · Post by **Trevor Harvey** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 12:34 pm

The Emeraude flaps are very effective, 2 stages & stage 2 will almost stop the thing!. The right hand trim tab is automaticaly adjusted as flaps are lowered so almost no manual trimming needed on approach. Trim lever very sensitive operating on the left elevator.
My strip is sometimes not easy to find in haze, last weekend I was at 2000ft 3fields short of threshold, tried full flap & sideslip, nearly made it. 200ft at threshold.
The 290metre field was not the best of good ideas, a flexwing Microlight strip. No problem to those guys. Friend of mine with a Eurostar managed no problem so I followed!!! However it did manage, & I have since been advised on better short field tecniques.

pillpoppinpilot · Post by **pillpoppinpilot** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:09 pm

What do you need flaps for? They only complicate the perfect wing! If you're too high - side slip 'tis easy in a Jodel.

Small Jodels fly better, stall better and use less fuel than Emerauds (nice as they are!)

That should stir things up!

Trevor Harvey · Post by **Trevor Harvey** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:10 pm

The Emeraude has an eliptical wing, a bit like a Spitfire, Jodels have a bent wing, like a Stuka. That should stir things up as well!!