Great Deal on TCraft Instruction
I'm not sure where to put this, but I wanted to put it somewhere. While visiting Bev's parents for Xmas 1996 in Vancouver, Washington I happened on a Time Warp FBO, at least compared to California standards. I found this cute little place, Evergreen, while jogging one morning, and noticed their fantastic rates. A TCraft with instructor and fuel was $30 an hour(!). Not only that, this was a real plane (a taildragger)! I hadn't much else to do, so reserved an hour for each of the next two mornings. The owner is a charming old guy, touching 80, who hobbles out to nurse the plane with an oil can and make sure things are okay as you get ready to go. No starter motor, we did the classic "Switch Off!", or "Contact!" back-and-forth to pull the engine over a few times and then start.

My take-offs and especially landings, were marginal at best. I never really "got it". I was frustrated that I could never tell when the tailwheel hit when the landing slowed down, but 2 days later realized that it was obvious -- that's what all the new noise was that was coming from the rear a few seconds after touchdown. That's how bad I was. The instructor was a wirey ole bush pilot with a drier, cushier job than he was used to in Alaska. I nearly felt embarrassed under his instruction, but somewhat just didn't care. I had a great time, got to feel a little accomplished for at least making survivable landings in a taildragger, and also got to do some spins for the first time ever. I'd love to go back there someday.