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Landings: How-To: HOW TO FLY A J-3 CUB

HOW TO FLY A J-3 CUB
by Dagley Reeves

[Introduction][The TAXI][The TAKEOFF][Common Mistakes]
[Air Work][Landing][Crosswinds][Emergencies]
[Conclusion][NTSB Accidents]

A FEW COMMON MISTAKES

Drifting to the left. Again, a basic problem that you got away with in the nose wheel days. As the power is applied the airplane drifts slightly to the left before the tail comes up. After the tail comes up you notice, but don't so anything because things seem to be going pretty well. "The last time I tried to make a small correction all hell broke loose." Stop that! Make a concentrated effort to make the plane go where you want it to go, not where it is happiest. This is not to say that you have to have "happy feet" all the time with the rudder banging against the stops. If you need a correction, make it, if you don't there is no reason to tap dance on the danged rudders. Sure, it may be interesting the first few times but that is what your instructor is for. If you let the airplane seek it's own level so to speak, your going to have a hell of a time when we get to crosswinds! Start doing it right now or you'll pay dearly later.

Forcing the tail up too soon. We already talked about this and why it is not a good idea. Among other things, the evil demon crosswind will eat your lunch.

Prolonging the takeoff. Not that common of a problem but it happens occasionally. Student things he can ease into this by sloooowly applying power. Doesn't work. Apply the power smoothly but go ahead and get it all in there early on. Disregard the horror story told by the Confederate Air Force Colonel about his P-51 experience. This is not a P-51 and chances are he never flew one anyway.

Riding the brakes. If you remember where they are it shouldn't be a problem, but again it happens. Don't do it.

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