Loops over Okanagan Lake

Since the Fargo is up for sale, I need to decide which plane I would like to purchase when the time comes to get a new one. I love the look of the taildraggers, and they're just so much cooler than a nosewheel. But I needed to know if I could fly one, so I decided to take some taildragger training in Penticton this summer.

Lucky for me, the instructor who does the tailwheel training is also the aerobatics instructor. And, it turns out, he has a rather rubber arm when it comes to convincing him to add loops and spins and hammerheads, not to mention many other manoevers of which I've now forgotten the names, into the lessons.

I didn't really think I would be in a position to learn much in the way of aerobatics since I didn't even have my actual licence on hand, just my student licence with a signature on the back indicating I did pass and can now fly on my own. But after a while, doing circuits in a tailwheel when you keep bouncing down the runway gets a little bit much to take. So, we went up and did some upper airwork which resulted in my flying upside down.

There's nothing to describe aerobatics when you're actually in the plane and not just a spectator. It is the coolest, most awesome thing you will ever do in your life. No rollercoaster or amusement ride could ever compare. For instance, while doing a loop, you start off looking ahead and see nothing but blue sky. Then, you look to the side and watch the mountain beside you flip on its head to finally look down at the glistening, shining blue lake below. It's amazing. And did you know that when you fly upside down the engine quits? Yes, the engine quits so you hear nothing but what wind noise you can through the headset. It's an absolutely lifechanging experience. And then, when you learn how to do it on your own and can actually tell people you've done loops and flown upside down, well, if people thought being a pilot was cool then this is just pure awesomeness! Not to mention, when you get out of the plane and realize you've just done something most people could only dream about, you're left with the kind of feeling that never goes away. If all of my training led only to the few loops and manoevers I was able to cram into my few taildragger lessons, I have to say it was worth every minute of it!

Now, if only I could get the hang of a tailwheel....