Ask Pete!

by Pete Schoeninger

Email your questions to Pete@Flymilwaukee.com

Q: I’m thinking about buying my first airplane and wonder what your opinion is about buying a tricycle gear versus a tailwheel airplane?

A: For most pilots and most situations, the tricycle would be my recommendation. Tricycle gear airplanes are easier to control on the ground, particularly in strong gusty crosswinds, and thus safer, in my opinion.

Now, having said that, tailwheel aircraft are more fun, and I admit some of my happiest flying hours involved various Cubs, Cessna 170s, etc. in off-airport operations; stuff that you might not want to do in a tricycle gear airplane. But we don’t do much of that any more…sadly!

Also, if you look at production numbers from 1981, the last year Cessna offered Cessna 180s (tailwheel) production…the almost identical Cessna 182 outsold the Cessna 180 by a ratio of about 10 to one! So clearly the market then preferred tricycle gear.

Best to contact your insurance agent as you may find insurance premiums for similar valued airplanes higher for tailwheel aircraft, compared with tricycle airplanes.

Q: I own a car body shop and a Cessna 182 that needs paint. Rather than pay an aircraft paint shop $12,000 for a paint job, can’t I take off my wings, truck my plane to my shop, and strip and paint it myself?

A: Yes, with qualifications. You will want to consult with your friendly aircraft mechanic as disassembly, surface preparation, and particularly reassembly must be done properly. You’ll need his guidance for balancing control surfaces, and his approval of everything you do, and his sign off in your maintenance records. Additionally, you and he may find minor problems on the airplane skin that need repair, which he will have to address.

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