I was signed up for the full boat - the multi-engine commercial instrument certification. However, after earning my private pilot wings and then my instrument rating, I thought a bit and realized that I was already in my 30’s and I had a career which was not as an airline pilot. So, I walked into the training office and said; “I don’t think I want my commercial multi-engine ticket. What else can I do?” I was greeted with an ala-cart menu and I chose most of it! One of the options I signed up for was a tailwheel endorsement.

For those not too familiar with airplanes, there are two types - nose wheel airplanes and tailwheel airplanes. The latter was all there was early on and was the norm through the golden age of aviation. Eventually, planes started getting nose wheels and the tailwheel style aircraft became “antique”. The origins remain today as the term “conventional gear” still refers to a tailwheel airplane while nose wheel aircraft are call “tricycle”. Not that anyone should read anything into that … cough cough.

Tailwheel aircraft fly just like all the rest but they take of and land a bit different. Different enough to require special training. Once I got my tailwheel endorsement, that was all I really wanted to fly. Part of it was that most tailwheel airplanes are either much older or much more interesting - eg nearly all aerobatic planes are tailwheel. I did take some aerobatic training but most of my flying after flight school was in older planes … much older. I finally settled on J3 Cubs and Stearmans.

You fly these old planes by feel. There is truly something to that saying “flying by the seat of your pants”. Back in flight school I had a chance to fly with the chief instructor. Walter Kronig was probably in his late 60’s when I met him. He had some time in B17s and B25s as well as a collection of airliners common to the 60’s 70’s and early 80’s. When he first flew with me he exclaimed so loud I didn’t need the intercom; “WHO’S BEEN TEACHING YOU TO FLY ?!” … Although he actually knew the answer - “his instructors” - he took it in and then shot back, “IF THAT’S THE CASE, THEN EVERY ONE OF THEM IS GETTING 5 HOURS WITH ME IN THIS AIRPLANE.” He was referring to a 1946 Aeronca Champ - an airplane with only 65hp and no electronics AT ALL.

I learned more from Walter about the connetion between me and the airplane in that one 90 minute lesson than I had learned in the previous 125 hours of flight time. He had me taking 90 degree cross wind landings, flying furrow lines at 15 feet, and side slipping out of 500 ft for the deck. I learned to judge my airspeed by the sound of the wind across the wings and the condition of the engine by the firing of the cylinders. I also learned to make the proper turn with balanced rudder and stick but the feel of my butt in the seat and not looking at the instruments. By the end of that one lesson, he had explained, in practice and not theory, the difference between being a pilot and being an “airplane driver”.

I am reminded a lot of his lessons and his words when I see some of the new aircraft systems being produced. I think there is a lot to be taught and a lot to be learned from the old airplanes. Yes, I agree these new aircraft make for a safer pilot experience but I disagree that they make for better pilots.

Well, I stumbled across a clip that probably never aired on the Red Bull Air Race series. My friends know I fly. My friends know I fly old stuff. I really hope my friends know I can’t/won’t do this ….

… but a guy can dream !

All eyes - and ears - turned skyward when the sound of a round engine was recognized. Soon, we watched as a beautify 300HP Stearman in Army colors settled in on the grass runway. The pilot and owner was greeted by all and it was evident he had the coveted “top airplane” spot. Well, at least for a while.

An hour or so later another round engine was heard. It was fast and not as easy to identify until it was closer. Then we all watched as a bright yellow Beech Staggerwing made a beutiful short field landing. The plane was swarmed as if it were a pollen laden flower.

Zen had been eyeing the food table but finally gave up any hope of scraps (everyone was hungry). So, she did what every girl at the field had done before her - she walked over to the two best planes to get her picture taken.

Today was a bit different. I would have loved to see the jet that made this contrail …

… and a few minutes later the wind had started to push it away …

This is the oldest Stearman flying in the world. It is also much bigger than it would appear in the photos. the only thing that might give a hint to it’s size is the fact that the little windows in the fuselage are for the passenger compartment ! Yes, in addition to 750 lbs of mail, this plane was also designed to carry 4 passengers. You might ask - if the passengers are inside the plane, why is the pilot still outside. The truth is that the wisdom of the time was a pilot could not fly an airplane if he could not feel the wind and environment surrounding him.

If you have high speed internet, check out the videos !

Update:
I read a funny statistic over at NORDO News. First the serious one - the restoration took 18,000 hours ! Now the funny one - the restoration took 416 hanger meals with an average of 9 place settings, requiring 7,400 paper plates, 104 gallons of tomato sauce and 1000 bread rolls.

Many years ago, I went off to learn to fly airplanes. My preference soon turned to old planes and then to biplanes, so the 7:30am overhead aerial assault this morning was a pleasure for me (even if every other neighbor in the hood declared it obnoxious).

This crop dusting video is not great quality but gives a little idea of the business. These pilots are at work before dawn since they need to launch and be at the first field at first light. This is often when the air is heavy and still - perfect for aerial application for crop infiltratants, mosquitoes, and other pests.

There are many different types of aerial applicators but my favorite is the old biplane with the round engine. When you get a few of these flying together, the closest earth bound audio experience is a huge pack of Harley Davidson motorcycles.