Looking for a Decathlon

C

Chris Meyer

Active member
Joined
May 13, 2023
Messages
29
Location
Connecticut
Hello Everyone!

I'm looking for Decathlon to teach in; acro, spins, tailwheel, etc. Mid-times and wood spars are fine (maybe even preferred!).

Anything coming on the market?

Thanks,
Chris
 
Flymiller said:
ok is it hard to inspect the wood spars to make sure they’re good?
Thanks
Click to expand...

I've seen it done once, but I'm far from an expert. I ended up with an ACA Super D with aluminum spars. I'd recommend posting on the main forum to get some knowledgable replies.

Chris
 
Decathlon is a great aerobatics trainer, and a lousy taildragger transition trainer.

The Citabria is a nice compromise.

The Decathlon wood spars have never been problematic - it was the Scout that triggered the AD, and you can guess the cracks were from folks playing bush pilot.
 
Bob Turner said:
Decathlon is a great aerobatics trainer, and a lousy taildragger transition trainer.

The Citabria is a nice compromise.

The Decathlon wood spars have never been problematic - it was the Scout that triggered the AD, and you can guess the cracks were from folks playing bush pilot.
Click to expand...

Bob, why do you say that it's a lousy taildragger transition trainer?
 
The angle of incidence on a Decathlon is lower - a full stall landing in a Dec will be very hard on the main mounts. And I am not at all sure you can develop a good feel for serious crosswind work in it.

We have found that training in a J3 enables rapid transition into almost any taildragger. The other way around doesn't work - it takes some time to train even a fairly good Citabria pilot in the J3. We are even cautious with Super Cub pilots.
 
Bob Turner said:
The angle of incidence on a Decathlon is lower - a full stall landing in a Dec will be very hard on the main mounts. And I am not at all sure you can develop a good feel for serious crosswind work in it.

We have found that training in a J3 enables rapid transition into almost any taildragger. The other way around doesn't work - it takes some time to train even a fairly good Citabria pilot in the J3. We are even cautious with Super Cub pilots.
Click to expand...
I just read this. I got my tailwheel in a J-3 Cub. It was so fun and I had no problems at all. In fact, I loved wheellandings in the Cub. To me is was very easy.
I am so glad to know I will be able to handle a Citabria. Just bought one!!
KB
 
You will have no trouble.
If you have less than ten hours in the pattern in the J3, take an instructor ith you on the first couple of pattern flights.
Insurance will probably demand more than that, but if you get really good your instructor may be able to talk them down.

Lately it has been 25 hours! Way back when, it was five hours.
 
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