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]

EMERGENCIES

• REMAIN IN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT
• ASSESS THE SITUATION
• TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION
• LAND THE PLANE (AS SOON AS PRACTICAL)
• Land into the wind if possible

CONCLUSION

We end our study with some examples of some of the things I have been talking about. Some are almost funny, others are tragic. Here, straight from the mouth of the NTSB are actual examples of what not to do in your airplane. More reason to become "the master of your aircraft, with the outcome of no maneuver ever seriously in doubt" and watch what your doing. You will notice that the NTSB is not terribly forgiving regarding mistakes on your part. Please, be careful.

D. Reeves

ACCIDENTS

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred JUN-02-84 at NORFOLK, NE

Aircraft: PIPER J3C-65, registration: N42497

Injuries: 2 Serious.

THREE WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP CLIMB AFTER LIFT-OFF AND CONTINUED CLIMBING TO AN ALT OF APRX 250 TO 350 FT AGL, STALLED AND SPUN TO THE RWY. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE RWY 1100 FT FROM THE APCH END IN A NOSE LOW AND LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE.

Probable Cause:

Climb..Excessive..Pilot in command

Airspeed(Vso)..Not maintained..Pilot in command

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred JUN-09-84 at SAN ANTONIO, TX

Aircraft: PIPER J3C-65, registration: N23413

Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

ACFT STRUCK A MARKED TRANSMISSION LINE ON FINAL APCH. PLT COULD NOT MAINTAIN FULL CONTROL OF ACFT ON LANDING. ACFT TOUCHED DOWN RT WING LOW AND A GO-AROUND WAS INITIATED.UPON APPLICATION OF PWR, ACFT WENT INTO TREES OFF RT SIDE OF AIRSTRIP. BOTH PLTS STATED NEITHER SAW THE WIRES WHICH WERE HIT.

Probable Cause:

Go-around..Not maintained..Dual student

Contributing Factors

Visual lookout..Inadequate..Pilot in command(CFI)

Visual lookout..Inadequate..Dual student

Go-around..Attempted..Dual student

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred JUN-22-84 at HOMESTEAD, FL

Aircraft: PIPER J-3 CUB, registration: N6932H

Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

THE PLT REPORTED A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OCCURRED DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL. THE ACFT TRAVELED OFF THE RWY AND COLLIDED WITH TREES.

Probable Cause:

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred OCT-10-96 at HOLDEN, UT

Aircraft: Piper PA-18-150, registration: N91017

Injuries: 2 Fatal.

On October 10, 1996, at 0755 mountain daylight time, N91017, a Piper PA-18-150, operated by the Utah State Department of Agriculture, collided with terrain during an uncontrolled descent and as destroyed near Holden, Utah. Both commercial pilots were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The public use flight had departed from Delta, Utah, about 0730, and it was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the operator of the aircraft, the purpose of the flight was for the aerial hunting of coyotes in accordance ith a state and federal government Animal Damage Control program. The operator stated that the ront seat pilot was maneuvering the airplane about 150 feet above a cattle ranch while the back eat instructor pilot/gunner was operating a shotgun. Ground witnesses observed the airplane in a "ose dive;" they first saw the airplane when it was no more than 50 feet above the ground, at hich time it was descending steeply to the south. The witnesses also stated that the weather onditions were "clear and calm." An examination of the accident site revealed running ground racks of at least two coyotes headed east from the west toward the accident site. The entire ccident site was 40 feet long and 40 feet wide. No evidence of a flight control malfunction, fire, or in- flight structural failure was found. An examination of the engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical deficiencies.

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred OCT-12-96 at BOULDER, CO

Aircraft: Piper PA-18-135, registration: N9967Q

Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

On October 12, 1996, approximately 1430 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-135, N9967Q, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing at Boulder, Colorado. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Boulder, Colorado, on October 12, 1996, 1330. According to the pilot, he made a 3-point landing into a right crosswind on runway 08. He stated he was slow in perceiving the right crosswind and the airplane drifted to the left. The pilot further stated that he over corrected with right rudder, and the airplane veered to the right and then to the left. The left tire came off the rim and the airplane ground looped.

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred OCT-13-96 at SPRINGFIELD, OH

Aircraft: Piper J3C-65, registration: N42719

Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious.

On October 13, 1996, at about 1220 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N42719, operated by the commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees following a touch and go landing at a private airstrip at Buck Creek State Park, near Springfield, Ohio. The pilot, who occupied the rear seat of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. The passenger, seated in the front seat of the airplane, received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred OCT-23-96 at ALLIANCE, NE

Aircraft: Piper PA-18, registration: N3939Z

Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

On October 23, 1996, at 1630 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA- 18, N3939Z, was substantially damaged when the pilot lost control of the airplane during landing. The instructor pilot was unable to take control of the aircraft from the student pilot and prevent the aircraft from a ground loop. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed the Alliance Municipal Airport, Alliance, Nebraska, on a local trainig flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred OCT-25-96 at HOBSON, MT

Aircraft: Cessna 170, registration: N24190

Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

On October 25, 1996, approximately 0930 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 170, N24190, nosed over while landing on a grass airstrip near Hobson, Montana. Neither the private pilot nor his passenger were injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which departed Stanford, Montana about 10 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to an FAA inspector who talked to the pilot about 30 minutes after the accident, the pilot reported that when he started to apply the brakes during the landing roll, they locked up and the aircraft flipped over.

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred SEP-02-96 at WILDWOOD, NJ

Aircraft: Piper J-3, registration: N92085

Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

On September 2, 1996, at 1650 eastern daylight time, a Piper J-3, N92085, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain while maneuvering near Wildwood, New Jersey. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at the Green Creek Airstrip, Cape May, New Jersey. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot stated that he had conducted banner towing operation during the day, and at the completion of his last banner towing mission he released his banner in the designated area, and proceeded on a local pleasure flight. While maneuvering the airplane at a low altitude over a marshy area, the airplane's right wing struck the ground, and the airplane came to rest in the marsh.

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred SEP-08-96 at PALESTINE, TX

Aircraft: Piper PA-18, registration: N7467D

Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor.

On September 8, 1996, at 1700 central daylight time, a Piper PA-18, N7467D, registered to and operated by a private owner, sustained substantial damage during takeoff near Palestine, Texas. The private pilot was seriously injured, and his passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. A flight plan was not filed for the local flight. During a takeoff to the east from a 1,000 foot, down-hill sloped grass field, the airplane became airborne, but impacted a barbed wire fence at the end of the field. The airplane came to rest in a ditch along the side of the road that the barbed wire fence bordered. Both wings, the empennage, and the fuselage sustained substantial damage.

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred SEP-14-96 at ARLINGTON, WA

Aircraft: Piper J3C-65, registration: N88334

Injuries: 4 Uninjured.

On September 14, 1996, approximately 1430 Pacific daylight time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N8809, and a Piper J3C-65, N88334, collided on a taxiway at Arlington Municipal Airport, Arlington, Washington (an uncontrolled airport.) The four aircraft occupants (the commercial pilot-in-command/flight instructor and a private pilot, who had arranged to buy the Bellanca from the instructor, in the Bellanca; and an airline transport pilot/owner and one passenger in the Piper) were not injured. However, the pilot-in-command of the Bellanca reported that both aircraft were substantially damaged in the collision. Both aircraft were operating under 14 CFR 91 and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilots of both aircraft reported that at the time of the accident, the Bellanca was taxiing in from landing and the Piper was taxiing for takeoff. The pilot-in-command of the Bellanca stated that his airplane was taxiing southbound on a north-south parallel taxiway east of runway 16/34 and that the Piper was taxiing northbound on the parallel taxiway. He stated that when he observed the Piper approaching, he directed the private pilot to maneuver to the extreme right of the taxiway, which was done; but that the Piper continued ahead and the two aircraft collided, left wing to left wing, in spite of the Bellanca pilots' attempt to move to the side. The Piper pilot reported that the Bellanca landed to the south and turned left off the runway at the first turn-off, then turned right (southbound) onto the parallel taxiway. He stated that he did not see the Bellanca and that his aircraft ran into the Bellanca as a result. The Piper pilot stated that he was in the back seat of the Piper and that his front-seat passenger was a 10-year-old boy. Both aircraft involved had tailwheel landing gear.

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred JUN-06-96 at CHESTER, CT

Aircraft: Piper J-3, registration: N68952

Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

The airplane ground looped during the landing roll and the wing dragged the ground. According to the pilot, during rollout, the airplane began to turn into the wind, he overcorrected with rudder, and the airplane ground looped. The airplane came to a stop in grass next to the runway.

Probable Cause:

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred APR-01-96 at GRAND HAVEN, MI

Aircraft: Piper PA-18A, registration: N454Q

Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

After touchdown from a left wing low landing, the student pilot, who was flying the airplane from the front seat, allowed the airplane to veer left. The instructor pilot, who was in the back seat, took control of the airplane, added full power, and pulled back on the stick in an attempt to avoid a runway light. The airplane cleared the light at a slow airspeed; however, its right wing immediately dipped and struck the terrain. The airplane then spun around and came to a stop. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies which could have contributed to the accident.

Probable Cause:

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred APR-07-96 at MIDLOTHAIN, TX

Aircraft: Piper J3C-65, registration: N7440H

Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

The pilot reported that he had made a pass over the taxiway to drop Easter candy to children. During a second pass to drop the remaining candy, the airplane's landing gear struck the east-west power line wires located north of the taxiway. The airplane came to rest on its nose on the taxiway.

Probable Cause:

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred MAR-16-96 at SALADO, TX

Aircraft: Piper J3C-65, registration: N26923

Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

While on approach to a 1,400-foot field, the pilot initiated a go-around. During the go-around, the landing gear contacted a power line. The pilot landed the airplane in a field. Structural damage occurred to the propeller, landing gear, and right wing.

Probable Cause:

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred MAR-23-96 at NASHVILLE, TN

Aircraft: Piper J3C-65, registration: N26046

Injuries: 5 Uninjured.

The Piper PA-28, N120CC, and the Piper J3C, N26046, were taxiing for takeoff onto the airport ramp area that funnels into taxiway R1. The pilot of the PA-28 stated that after entering the airport ramp area he remained stationary. A preceding Cessna 172 had entered the R1 taxiway and met oncoming traffic. The C-172 made a 180 degree turn to exit the R1 taxiway back onto the ramp. When the pilot of the J3 observed the C-172 turning around, he turned to the right to clear the taxiway-to-ramp throat. As the J3 turned, the propeller and left wing of each airplane contacted the left wing and propeller of the opposing airplane. The pilot of the J3 stated he did not see that the PA-28 had entered the ramp area, and was not able to stop the J3 before the collision.

Probable Cause:

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred FEB-22-96 at ELK GROVE, CA

Aircraft: Piper J3C-65, registration: N75772

Injuries: 2 Fatal.

The airplane struck one of three 340-foot-high radio transmission towers about 37 feet from the top. The airplane had departed the pilot's private ranch airstrip located about 1.28 nautical miles southeast of the tower minutes before the accident. The towers are depicted on the aeronautical sectional chart, and were marked as an obstruction to air navigation with alternate sections of aviation orange and aviation white paint.

Probable Cause:

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred JAN-12-96 at LANCASTER, CA

Aircraft: Piper J2, registration: N17261

Injuries: 1 Fatal.

The pilot was performing touch-and-go landings at a private dirt airstrip. A pilot witness observed the airplane turning from crosswind to downwind at what appeared to be a slow airspeed at an estimated altitude of 250 feet agl. The witness said the airplane appeared to stall, roll off on the left wing, and pitch down into the ground. Ground impact signatures indicated that the airplane rotated about 180 degrees after stalling. The weather was VFR with calm winds. No preimpact discrepancies were found during an examination of the aircraft and engine.

Probable Cause:

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred JAN-14-96 at MOUNT HOREB, WI

Aircraft: Piper J3C-65, registration: N1412N

Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Uninjured.

The pilot landed at a closed airstrip after making arrangements to meet his wife there. The airstrip was marked as closed; however, it was covered with snow in the landing area. The pilot said that before landing, he saw a pedestrian along the side of the strip, who waved; he thought the pedestrian was his wife. After landing, the airplane slowed quickly on the snow covered runway. The pilot said he applied some power to continue taxiing in the snow, but the airplane was moving slowly. As the pilot was taxiing the tailwheel equipped airplane without S-turning, he was looking out the door on the right side. He said he caught a glimpse of something to his left, and at about that moment, the left strut of the airplane hit the pedestrian, who was a woman that was walking her dog on the airstrip. The pedestrian was struck in the back of the head and was seriously injured .The pilot did not obtain a weather briefing before the flight nor did he have a current sectional chart.

Probable Cause:

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred DEC-26-95 at BELZONI, MS

Aircraft: Piper J-3-C65, registration: N3615K

Injuries: 2 Fatal.

A witness saw the airplane as it was maneuvering in the vicinity of the accident site. The airplane was then observed to enter a spin and disappear behind trees, where it impacted in a plowed field. Examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem. There was evidence that the airplane impacted the ground in a stalled attitude. Both wing assemblies sustained aft crushing damage to the leading edges. The student pilot's medical certificate was dated 8/11/93. No pilot flight logs were recovered for examination.

Probable Cause:

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred DEC-26-95 at WESTERLY, RI

Aircraft: Piper J3F, registration: N28148

Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

The pilot reported he landed on runway 32, rolled out to the intersection of runway 7/25, and made a left turn onto a taxiway. He reported that as he entered the taxiway, "the wind caught the right wing, lifting the wing into the air." The pilot reported he corrected the situation and put the airplane back on the ground. According to him, another gust of wind caught the tail and flipped the airplane over onto its back. The reported wind condition was 320 degrees at 15 knots with gusts to 20 knots. The pilot reported the accident could have been prevented by more accurately anticipating the wind gust factor as well as the required control input to compensate for constantly changing factors.

Probable Cause:

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred SEP-03-95 at BOOTHBAY HARBOR, ME

Aircraft: PIPER J-3, registration: N98503

Injuries: 1 Minor.

While on final approach over water, the pilot was momentarily blinded by the glare of the sun, and its reflection from the water. The airplane descended and struck a berm about 4 feet high, about 200 feet from the approach end of the runway. The landing gear collapsed, and the airplane touched down on the runway, nosed over, and came to rest inverted.

Probable Cause:

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred JUL-03-95 at NORTH BENTON, OH

Aircraft: PIPER J3C-65, registration: N88631

Injuries: 1 Serious.

THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A LOCAL TEST FLIGHT. HE REPORTED THAT THE TEMPERATURE WAS 96 DEGREES (F), AND THAT HE BELIEVED THE AIRPLANE HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN IN THE PRECEDING 6 MONTHS. WHILE ON INITIAL CLIMB, AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 75 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. DURING AN EMERGENCY DESCENT, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. A WITNESS SAW THE AIRPLANE DESCENDING IN A NOSE DOWN, LEFT WING DOWN ATTITUDE BEFORE IT CRASHED. AN FAA INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL STRAINER, BUT NOT IN THE CARBURETOR, AND THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS NOT BLOCKED. THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN SERVICED WITH AUTOMOBILE FUEL AND HAD BEEN EXPOSED TO THE "HOT SUN" FOR SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE THE FLIGHT. THE FAA INSPECTOR THOUGHT THAT THE POWER LOSS MIGHT HAVE BEEN FROM A VAPOR LOCK, BUT THIS WAS NOT VERIFIED.

Probable Cause:

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred JUN-03-95 at PALMER, AK

Aircraft: PIPER J3C-65, registration: N32708

Injuries: 1 Serious.

THE PILOT LIVES ADJACENT TO AN AIRSTRIP AND A VEHICLE DROVE ACROSS THE AIRSTRIP AND HIS YARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. HE WAS VERY AGITATED AND ELECTED TO FLY HIS AIRPLANE IN SEARCH OF THE VEHICLE. DURING HIS FLIGHT HE MADE AN ABRUPT PULL UP AND STEEP BANK AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE TERRAIN AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED.

Probable Cause:

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred JUN-06-95 at MEDFORD, OR

Aircraft: PIPER J3C-65, registration: N28087

Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD TAKEN OFF WITH THE NOSE FUEL TANK FULL, HOWEVER, AFTER 15 MINUTES OF FLIGHT, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE FUEL FLOAT INDICATOR READ ONE-THIRD OF A TANK. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE INDICATOR READ EMPTY. THE PILOT EXECUTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL IN TALL ALFALFA, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. DURING AN INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM, IT WAS FOUND THAT A WIRE WAS BENT APPROXIMATELY FOUR INCHES ABOVE THE FLOAT AND WAS CREATING A DRAG THROUGH THE CAP. THIS BENT WIRE CREATED AN ERRONEOUS FUEL QUANTITY INDICATION WHEN THE FUEL QUANTITY WAS ACTUALLY LESS.

Probable Cause:

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred JUN-18-95 at YELLOW SPRINGS, OH

Aircraft: PIPER J3C-65, registration: N7239H

Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor.

THE PILOT MADE A FLYBY ON A NON-DESIGNATED RUNWAY USED BY ULTRALIGHTS, REVERSED COURSE AND MADE A SECOND PASS. PULLING UP FROM THE SECOND PASS, THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED A 110 FOOT TALL TOWER ABOUT 20 FEET BELOW THE TOP OF THE TOWER. THE AIRPLANE THEN ENTERED A DESCENDING RIGHT TURN AND STRUCK TREES.

Probable Cause:

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred JUN-22-95 at WAUSAU, WI

Aircraft: PIPER J-5A, registration: N40888

Injuries: 2 Uninjured. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS TAXIING THE AIRPLANE IN A CONGESTED AREA NEAR A REFUELING ISLAND. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR AND WING STRUT COLLIDED WITH THE FUEL PUMPS ON THE ISLAND. THE RIGHT WING STRUTS WERE BENT AND THE RIGHT WING SPAR WAS CRACKED AT THE JURY STRUT ATTACH POINT.

Probable Cause:

NTSB Identification:

Accident occurred JUN-24-95 at YORK, SC

Aircraft: PIPER J3, registration: N41105

Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF FROM THE SOD AIRFIELD, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE LOST POWER. HE ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING IN A NEARBY FIELD, BUT COULD NOT MAKE THE FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE TREES AND TERRAIN IN A SWAMPY AREA, AND THE ENGINE WAS SUBMERGED IN WATER. AFTER DRAINING THE WATER FROM THE CARBURETOR, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE RAN NORMALLY AT ALL POWER SETTINGS.

Probable Cause:

1. The local airport manager once asked how he could lower the premiums for his airport. The isnurance agent said: "If there is one rule I could make for every airport, it would be NO HAND PROPPING." In reality, the people who have airplanes that must be hand started are not as much at risk as those who decide to prop their planes due to a dead battery. Irregardless, hand propping is dangerous.

2. As you may have guessed, there is no parking brake on a Cub.

3. Cub brakes are notorious for being almost useless, what we are really more concerned with is that somebody is guarding the throttle.

4. Your going to lose it anyway, along with your high dollar Ray Bans the first time you look out the side door in flight.

5. If your wearing high heals, there shouldn't be a problem getting someone to prop the plane for you. (Take em off before trying to taxi though).

6. This was rectified on late Cub versions such as the PA-11. The fuel was stored in the wings allowing solo from the front seat.

7. If on the outside chance that you are going to go on a cross country in a Cub, copy all navigation data on the back of your hand. When you open the doors, your map is going to leave abruptly. If you can's get all of the data on the back of your hand...drive..

8. As a matter of fact, it didn't have a tailwheel either! There is a logbook entry for my Cub showing where the skid was replaced with a steerable tailwheel.

9. Some Old Fart may tell you the brakes work better if serviced with cooking oil instead of brake fluid. Probably the same guy who swears WD40 cures arthritis.

10. This was long before concrete or asphalt were invented. All they had to land on was dirt and grass...and glad to get it too!

11. Not really, my Cub has a good tailwheel and it tracks very nicely. This of course changes when the wind starts blowing.

12. As one of my old instructors from West Texas used to say, "This here's an air thang, not a ground thang."

13. Really it is! Remember when you were learning to ride a bicycle how hard it seemed? If you had to think about everything you needed to do to balance a bicycle you would probably fall over. Same thing here. After a little practice the little gyro in your head starts telling your feet what to do and it's easy, just like riding a bike. .

14. Where you are going to run into trouble is when you try to taxi crosswind. The wind wants to weather vane the airplane and you might not be able to stop it. This is where a good set of brakes come in handy...but then, you don't have a good set of brakes.

15. A big WWII soviet fighter plane with a big radial engine with about a gazzillion horse power.

16. On a calm day, a good stick and rudder man makes it looks as if he is not doing anything at all. In reality, he is making many tiny corrections, precisely timed which appear invisible. If you see a plane going down the runway with the rudder flapping from side to side I'd bet my lucky mood ring it's a low time pilot tailwheel pilot.

17. Not a problem in my Cub but maybe you got the only one with good brakes.

18. I say this tongue in cheek. The type of aircraft you fly has nothing to do with your skill or ability. An airplane is an airplane. A Cessna 150 pilot who has developed the proper skills is just as much as aviator as a Bearcat pilot. The old farts would have you believe that if you didn't learn how to fly in a J-3 Cub or a Steerman then your an airplane driver opposed to a airplane flier. Bullshit, pure and simple.

19. Remember the thing with the bicycle wheel and gyroscopic forces

20. When your sitting off in the culvert next to the runway ready to kill him he rectifies this small misunderstanding. "I said, I saw one once!"

21. Caution! There are many attractive potential runways in the better parts of town. These are guarded by a slew of mean old farts driving cute little cars armed with clubs. Avoid these.

22. Clearing the engine simply means giving it a little throttle now and then as opposed to letting it sit at idle.

23. Or get to the runway. The Cessna in front of you may think he's flying a 747 and make a ten mile downwind or the tower might decide it's time to log some J-3 time and start flying the plane for you.

24. After reading some of the accident reports in the last chapter it will become apparent that if you crash, no matter what you did, you did something wrong.

25. I am assuming your first practice is on a calm or nearly calm day.

26. Might be fun for your instructor, he already knows how to do it. It's hell for you. Resist the impulse to tear up your certificate at the end of the lesson and burn it. You may never get to Nashville playing a geetar but you can do this.

27. Be sure to take the controls prior to landing and state quite frankly you don't think they are quite ready for this yet.

28. This makes the airplane very maneuverable while taxiing. There are times, like takeoff or landing in a crosswind, when this mobility works against you. Most larger taildragers have a tailwheel lock which limits the travel on takeoff and landing. Every tailwheel pilot has a "tailwheel lock" story where he either forgot to lock or unlock the tailwheel. While I have poked some fun at airport war stories, these might be true.

29. In a Cub at least. Works in a B-737 but I don't do it that one either.