Yesterday after 3.5 hours of tail-dragger transition training, I finally soloed in my 13B-powered homebuilt; I was a bit nervous taxiing back to the threshold but as the wheels left the ground I knew it was going to be okay. My first
landing was a bouncer but I kept it straight - followed up with a few greasers and a couple more bouncers; it was a great day. I was expecting a big increase in climb rate without 200 lbs in the right seat but have to say it was not significant; I guess the
power loading and those big wings aren’t affected as much as an under-powered short wing Piper.
With 11 trouble-free hours and now solo, I’ll start building up more time after a 2 week hiatus in Mexico.
Jeff