Quote:
Originally Posted by legion
As someone who knows nothing about aviation, but might be interested in getting a pilot's license some day, can someone summarize the differences between the two airplanes? Which one is the "tail dragger"?
|
The difference in the two aircraft is that a tail wheel aircraft has the center of gravity behind the main landing gear and nose wheel aircraft is ahead of the main lading gear, big difference is in ground maneuvering, lack of attention on the ground results most likely in a ground loop. CG location is also important on landing in a crosswind. If you let the tail get too far off center and the wind catches you that is also a ground loop but much uglier at slightly higher speed.
Also google
p factor, asymmetrical thrust and get you mind around that as well.
It's been said many times, the only time you can relax in a tail wheel aircraft is when the aircraft is shutdown and in the hangar. Anything prior to that, you best pay attention.
On the fun quotient, I'd go with tail wheel but ease of learning, the C172.
Regardless, have fun!