Taildragger Tactics

BOOK REVIEW by Bob Mack

An aviation book by Sparky Imeson

My first impression of the new book by Sparky Imeson, called Taildragger Tactics, was that it catered to those who flew wanted to fly) a taildragger. Since I own a taildragger (Zlin 526), I thought the book would be a good read. As I became immersed in my reading, I soon discovered that the information contained in the book was good for pilots of both kinds of planes, tri-cycle and taildragger.

A brief rundown, at the front of the book, gives the reader factual information about throttle usage, propeller over dirt and water, beginning to taxi, oil pressure indication, carburetor heat, hand propping, priming, and engine pre-heat. This information is good for all pilot of any airplane. Some chapters contain information on short field and soft field takeoff and landings. I found a complete list of V Speed identifiers at the back of the book. There are more useful facts and figures in this book than in most required flying texts. Sparky uses his Mountain Flying experience and humor to make the book an interesting read.

I've read a lot of stories in different magazines that would scare the daylights out of any tri-cycle pilot that wanted to experience a taildragger. Taildraggers are not some wild beast only top be ridden by the bravest souls. They are planes with their nose wheel located in the rear. Because the center of gravity is different and the nose wheel is pointing backward, you handle it a bit different than you do a conventional tri-cycle gear plane. That doesn't equal dangerous, just that more attention needs to be paid to the plane. The same attention needs to be applied to every takeoff/landing, even in a tri-cycle airplane.

Most taildragger pilots would agree that all pilots would be better qualified to fly a conventional tri-cycle gear plane if they had at least 10 hours of tail wheel time, experienced a glider flight, and some additional hours in an aerobatic plane before being issued a pilots license.

Reading this book will give ALL pilots a better understanding of aerodynamics, safety procedures, and tail wheel activity.

Fly-Low is fortunate to have Sparky Imeson as one of our contributing writers. You will find many mountain flying stories and flight education stories in our magazine provided by Sparky. To contact Sparky you can go to www.mountainflying.com or sparky@fly-low.com