If you like dodgem cars, you will love the Explorer Taildragger we have as a training aircraft at Durban Skyye Flight School and I had a lesson with our rated Instructor Ian today.. the difference between a taildragger and a tricycle plane is that the centre of gravity is behind you, so instead of it balancing on a nose wheel and two main wheels, it leans backwards with a little "supermarket trolly" type wheel at the back just above the ground. The huge difference this makes is that when you taxi or land the plane, the heavier back tail keeps trying to overtake you and can easily result in a ground loop or spin-around unless you can keep the tail centred behind you. Pilots like the taildraggers because they keep you on your toes and are fun to fly - certainly no docile plane!!
Here is Ian with the Explorer taildragger and then a few happy snaps as we took advantage of the clear Durban skyye after the rain and he showed me how to land the little bugger.
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| Ian poses before showing me how the plane works.. just taxiing the plane was taxing! |
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| I think I can do this thing!! |
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| Smart MGL glass cockpit of the Explorer with all the information you need to fly |
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| Beautiful Durban and the harbour on take-off from Virginia Airport |
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