Smith advice

[Tramp]

Hi guys,
I am hoping to pick up a Smith Miniplane this upcoming Spring. I've found the airplane and am just waiting for a few things to line up before I pull the trigger.

My dad owned one and I grew up hearing stories on how squirrely it is on the ground - especially on pavement. I know that everything must be gentle and deliberate but that one needs to be on top and ahead of it.

Given the airplane is a single seat with few comparable airplanes, I'm curious to know how the Smith guys in the group prepared to fly one? I imagine taxi tests with the tail down and up are essential before even thinking about leaving the ground.

I have about 600 hours TT (just enough to get into trouble) of which 150 or so is tail time (Citabrias and Decathlons). For the last two years, I've been teaching acro in the back of a Super Decathlon so I'm comfortable taking off and landing from the rear seat...if that's a comparable sight picture.

Any advice or insight would be helpful.

Thanks,

Jon

 

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[Tramp]

 

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[race38]

 

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[Defenseman1]