Warbird Information Exchange

Scary I-16 Rata landing

In 2017. Nice reccovery by the pilot!!!! Look at 3:25

Not too bad really. The Rat has a flare like a brick and it's blind to boot. Bounce recovery looked standard. Power at the apex and with something like a T6 or a Mustang, either re-flare and land it if you have the room or take it around. In the Rat no question, take it around.
Dudley Henriques

Everyone screws-up from time to time. It's only the recovery that matters. Which was well done.

I like that in this case the pilot stayed on the grass. Very good decision.

I've never flown a I-16, but it looks like a Ground-Loop-Waiting-To-Happen. Short-coupled little beast.

Lovely sound though! A lot like the Lysander.

I agree with the above comments, and good decision to go around. The only observation I have is that it appears on his full stop landing that the pilot did not keep the stick full aft after the tail came down from the wheel landing. As I'm not an I-16 pilot and not familiar with all the intricacies and characteristics of that aircraft, is there any reason to not keep the stick full aft on the roll out after the tailwheel is in contact with the grass?

Normal procedure if 3 point is to hold the stick back and with wind correction on the roll out. If touchdown on the mains, let the tail come down naturally (NEVER force it down) then proceed as above.
Dudley Henriques

Interesting that all the US-based ones were parked several years ago. Yagen's one never flew in the US, the Paul Allen one was grounded 6 or 7 years ago, and the CAF one hasn't flown for about 15 years and has been up for sale for a while with no takers AFAIK.

Would sure look mean with a 4-bladed prop!

Russian GeeBee