Type Club Corner Marla Boone
Listening for the sound of success “In my next life,” I resolved, “my primary training is going to be in a taildragger.” Unless one learned early on precisely what role feet play in aviation, the first few flights in a tailwheel airplane are an exacting reminder. Twenty-six years of flying aileron-interconnect Pipers and obedient Cessnas was poor preparation for being at the controls of a Waco. Takeoffs in those Cherokees and Skyhawks require right rudder. Takeoffs in a large biplane requires right rudder. My occasional foray in a Taylorcraft or Pacer gave me a hint of what was in store as my longtime mentor and aircraft partner checked me out in our 1928 ASO.
16
In what had probably seemed like a good idea at the time, the founders of the Weaver Aircraft Company (Waco) had devised a system of aircraft designation that is fiendish in its simplicity. The first letter denoted the engine type. “A” stood for Wright J5, “D” for Hispano-Suiza, “G” for OX-5, and so on. The second letter indicated the wing type. This was a little more intuitive, but not much: “S” for Straightwing, “T” for Taperwing, and “P” or “R,” for example, taken from drawings listed by that letter. The final letter registered the fuselage type. “O” actually meant 10, and “F” signified the short, compact fuselage that enjoys such immense popularity.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013
VintageJan2013.indd 18
12/13/12 11:33 AM
