The Ground Loop Monster

Let's talk about ground loops.

The Gear I used for this video:

[TheAirplaneDriver]

Trent, I am a CFI and have 1100 hours tailwheel time in aircraft from T6’s to Cubs and have to say you did an EXCELLENT job with this video. Well done! And, yup....keep those rudders pedals moving. “Happy feet” is the best way to deny the “Ground Loop Monster” 😉

[serg]

You say you're not an instructor... but you did a far better job at explaining this, then I've ever heard. Well done, Trent!

[pappybo]

My very 1st landing (I was 14 years old and learning in a J3 ) ended in a ground loop. That was in 1963 and I’ve never been bitten again. There was no damage to anything but my pride, but I learned my lesson and I learned to dance on those pedals. My instructor thought it was hilarious but when he quit laughing, he explained exactly what happened and took me to our practice area for an intense lesson on rudder control. Good video. Keep up the good work. Thanks. After all these years I still prefer flying taildraggers.

[chrisholbourn]

As an ex tail wheel instructor I’d say you’re pretty spot on Trent. LOVE your model and demonstration on the treadmill. Love the videos man. Keep em coming.

[jeffgrave]

Thanks Trent for taking the time to create a physical model to demonstrate this affect, very well done!

[johnnukecop]

This was the single best, clearest explanation I have ever seen or heard of a ground loop. I got the concept with the RC model, but the demonstrations with the model you built and with the luggage cart nailed it. I hope you would be at least credited for it, but I cannot believe that some instructors would not use this to help explain the concept. I could see an instructor sitting with his or her student, smart phone in hand, saying "hey, watch this", before the first flight.

Funny thing, I was going to say really nice things about the intro because it was so well done, but the lesson was just outstanding.

[xoverland]

Excellent explanation. I've explained it by comparing it to a game of darts. Every time a pilot lands a taildragger, its like getting a dart to hit the board going backwards.

[UncleKennysPlace]

That's probably the most use your treadmill has had in years.

[paulmoore]

I’m an experienced USN pilot and airline pilot. I’m new to GA and tail draggers and I really appreciate this quality instruction. Thank you.

[tailwheelpilot]

With almost 50 years in tw, first a C140 and now my C120, this is great advice.
Although I've never ground-looped, I've seen two, one right in front of me, and the second about 1/4 mile away.
You are exactly right, at some point you'll know your aircraft so well that you will anticipate and correct this swerving tenancy immediately.
I've found that taking cross-wind runways for landing has helped a lot, one will have lots of deviations and can practice for them.
Force the aircraft to go straight down the runway. If there is drift, there is a problem in the making.
Well thought out video.

[michaelwilliamsd.o.]

Thx to you I'm flying again. I started with RC aircraft on flight test and found you. I had given up on ever flying again. My pilot license from the 90's was dusty and I was rusty. The government shutdown has my medical stuck in Oklahoma City but my CFI has me ready to solo again. I bought a 1957 Cessna 172 and my wife has started ground school. I'm so excited and thankful for your inspirational videos. I've learned so much from you, avation 101, MZeroA and many others. I hope to shake your hand in person soon at a fly in somewhere. Thank you. Doc Mike in TEXAS

[Easyflyfr]

Right on spot, many thanks Trent for this imaginative way of showing the famed Ground Loop Monster - Jean-Marc

[jdduncan]

Excellent explanation! I have been flying RC aircraft for 40 years and am an RC instructor. I plan to have my students watch this video so they can understand how and why ground loops happen.

[gottafly]

dude excellent analogy with the 3 wheel shopping cart demo!

[gveasey]

One of the best explanations! I have been flying tailwheels for 40 years and am still in the gonna category. The CG behind the mainwheels is the physics, but your model on the treadmill was priceless! GREAT JOB!

[ADVRider]

Trent, more of this please....

I'm currently 20 + hours into training as a (tail wheel only) student pilot fighting off the Monster.

My intention is to keep my training all pure tail wheel.

Your simulation of trike and tail is the best and most useful illustration of how things work that I have seen yet.

Please share more of your real world tail wheel learning experiences with us future Flying Cowboys in training.

[ExperimentalAircraftChannel]

Excellent explanation @Trent Palmer Thanks for creating this.

[martinjrichter]

I learned to fly in a tail wheel Cessna 140. At solo I had some problem seeing the the angle between the direction the plane was moving and the centerline of the aircraft. I took a piece of tape and made a centerline on the cowl, that simple vissual reference immediately solved the problem.

[JavierBonillaC]

It should be called the Ground Spin. Extraordinarily clear video. This is how you teach stuff.

[scooby]

Absolutely love the treadmill demonstration! Brilliant!