For those who want to learn to fly tailwheel airplanes.

Greg Bockelman

Greg Bockelman

Touchdown! Greaser!
Joined
Feb 23, 2005
Messages
11,093
Location
Lone Jack, MO
Display Name
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Greg Bockelman
TAILDRAGGER

Taildragger, I hate your guts,
I have the license , ratings and such
But to make you go straight is driving me nuts.
With hours of teaching and the controls in my clutch
It takes a little rudder, easy, thats too much.

You see, I learned to fly in a tricycle gear
with one up front and two in the rear.
She was sleek and clean and easy to steer
But this miserable thing with tires and struts
Takes a little rudder, easy, thats too much.

It demands your attention on the take-off roll
Or itll head towards Joness as you pour on the coal.
Gotta hang loose, don't over control.

This wicked little plane is just too much
With a lot of zigzagging and words obscene
I think Ive mastered this slippery machine.

Its not that bad if you have the touch
Just a little rudder, easy, thats too much.

I relax for a second and from the corner of my eye,
I suddenly realize with a gasp and a cry
Thats my own tail thats going by.

You ground looping wreck; I hate your guts,
Give a little rudder, Great Scott, THATS TOO MUCH.

Author unknown
 
LOL! Having read that before I tried dragging my tail helped a lot... ;)
I've been meaning to write a sort of rebuttal poem to that, showing the bright flipside to each line... it might come out shorter. :rofl:
 
A little clunky trying to go line-for-line with the original, but I think this turned out all right for a quick effort:

Taildragger, I love your way,
I got my signoff the other day
I was nervous and wary, but it went OK.

The lessons were like starting over again
And I'm proud that I learned how to make you my friend.

I had to unlearn all my nosewheeling habits
Or I'd find myself scattering mice and jackrabbits!
But this fine little ship with its old fabric wings
Taught me more than the usual flight-lesson things.

When a pilot believes that the lesson is done
It will tell you "your flight lesson's only begun!"
"I'm here to teach you about earning your fun!"

No ego allowed with these little machines-
With a white-knuckle grip and a hat filled with sweat
You realize " I'm still a beginner yet."

I thought I would ne'er get the footwork just right
But the old man in back said "Relax; you're uptight!"

So I did let her lead, just to "see what she'll do"
She said "Ignore me, eh? Now it's my turn to show you!"

The old man said "She'll make a believer of you..."

You old-fashioned girl; I swear, on some flight
when you see me as worthy... I'll get it just right.

:D
 
Wow!!! Those poems are both great. Felt like the first one a few times but definitely lean towards the rebuttal most of the time. Might come from taking a large part of my primary training in conventional gear aircraft. Nice job, I"m impressed with people who can create/write like that.
 
Most enjoyable. That's my next endorsement for sure.
 
Well written! Both pieces. One reality & one romance?
 
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