Cessna 120-140 Association

Back in 1946, when tailwheel was normal and didn't require super skills; did instructors teach students to initially 3 point or wheel land, and at what stage was the other technique brought into the equation?

Cheers

I have been looking thru the operations manual, with no luck. I think in New Zealand, on the South Island, it’s Wheel landings. On the North Island it’s three points.

The gentleman that worked with me, and helped me with my CFI Certificate started instructing in 1948 in J-3's, C-120's, as well as C-140"s. He stressed that a normal landing in a tail wheel airplane except in gusty crosswind conditions is a three (3) point full stall landing, and that's what the school he worked for taught to students first. Wheel landings utilized in gusty crosswind conditions he mentioned came after the student gained experience, and had usually soloed.

I have been looking thru the operations manual, with no luck. I think in New Zealand, on the South Island, it’s Wheel landings. On the North Island it’s three points.

This makes perfect sense given that in the North Island they three point tricycle gear airplanes also!

Si

When I soloed in a J-3 in July 1946, only 3 point being taught at the time, later, no formal training, I taught myself wheel landings in a 120. Later, when I wanted to take the commercial check ride in my Piper Clipper tail wheel and didn't have the new technology "VOR" on board, the DPE suggested I rent a 150 at his airport that had the VOR. My first tri-gear!
I had heard about his reputation , after the oral, he said go out and preflight the aircraft. The 150 tanks had been topped off, so, when he came out and said are "we ready", I replied that with our combined weights we would be approx. 20# over weight, and he replied will it bother you, and I said "your the man", he said let's go! VOR check was after TO get established on a specific heading, etc.
In his defense, he was well experienced with the local area instructors and the quality of the preparation for their students.

I learned to fly back in 1953. My dad had a Waco UPF-7 but the instructor suggested I actually learn early in a Cessna 120. I was 16 at the time. My instructor, Hubert DeLap had been an instructor in the CPT program during the war. He taught both three point and wheel landings. My log book shows I soloed with 2 hr and 45 min of instruction!!! After about 4 more hours I checked out in the Waco. I still have my original PPL issued in 1954 by the CAA. Things were different back then, maybe not better, just different. The Cessna I soloed in, N77230 is still on the registry. I am currently restoring a 1947 C-140.
Steve Hawley

For those who started on tailwheel a long time ago and with three-point landings, were they on grass or paved runways?

I had heard about his reputation , after the oral, he said go out and preflight the aircraft. The 150 tanks had been topped off, so, when he came out and said are "we ready", I replied that with our combined weights we would be approx. 20# over weight, and he replied will it bother you, and I said "your the man"

The DPE for my PPL was a BIG dude, and we were going to be flying in a 152. I was terrified on how to handle the flight plan knowing we would be over gross. He gave me the route he wanted me to plan, and then said "for the purpose of this exercise you may assume that I am the FAA standard 170 pounds." Never been more relived in my life.

edidin wrote: ↑Thu Jun 09, 2022 2:10 pm For those who started on tailwheel a long time ago and with three-point landings, were they on grass or paved runways?

Pavement

Thanks to all those that have posted some memories.

Si