Training Log – December 2024
I bought a tailwheel airplane—a bouncy little Cessna 140—at the end of August, and flying it has been a journey that’s both exciting and intimidating. I spent a long time debating whether I should go the tailwheel route, and even after the purchase, I had serious second thoughts. I was convinced I’d induce the dreaded ground loop that tailwheel airplanes are known for, and for a while, it felt like I might have made a huge mistake.
Adding to the challenge, I keep my plane at a small grass strip in Southern New Jersey. The strip is very close to my house, which makes it incredibly convenient—I love being able to visit my plane whenever I feel the need or want to. But it also adds a layer of complexity to my training. Grass is said to be more forgiving than pavement, and many recommend it as a better surface for learning. The reduced friction of grass can prevent some of the swerving tendencies that might lead to a dreaded ground loop. However, landing on grass still presents its own challenges, especially when the strips are small compared to practicing at large runways.
Right now, I’m still in the process of getting “transition training” to build confidence and proficiency. My instructor often has me fly from the grass strip where I keep the plane to a local airport with two large paved runways. I’ll admit, the openness of the larger airport feels reassuring. There’s no rush to get the plane down, and I can let things progress naturally. Sometimes, when returning to the grass strip, I catch myself trying to force the landing sooner than I should out of fear of overrunning the end of the runway.
Most of our time is spent at the larger airport practicing multiple landings, simulated engine outs, and crosswind techniques. These sessions have helped me feel more comfortable operating around the bigger airport, but I’m not yet 100% confident when it comes to landing back at the grass strip.
Since purchasing the airplane, there have been a few weeks when I couldn’t fly due to weather and family conflicts. Despite the downtime, I’ve managed to log just over 10 hours in this plane so far. Recently, I achieved a major milestone: I soloed at the big airport! It was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating, a huge step forward in building my confidence as a tailwheel pilot.
Thankfully, I’ve received plenty of encouragement along the way. The previous owner of my plane shared that it took him a while to feel comfortable flying solo and encouraged me to take my time and enjoy the process. “It’s worth it in the end,” he said, and I’m beginning to see what he meant.
Building confidence is a gradual process, but I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. And oh man, there’s absolutely nothing like nailing a perfect wheel landing—it’s pure magic.
Follow along with some of my training experiences here:
https://www.youtube.com/@tincan_flyer/videos
