Thanks for the photos - they bring back a lot of sweet memories of my
old 20b. I even have fond memories of the trailer...


I don't know if you saw my discription of 2 pointing the PIK earlier in
this forum. I would suggest trying the 2 point technique where you
simultaneously crank the flaps and flare (thanks UH). It was a
challenge for me at first because I found cranking and flaring at the
same time a PIO inducing event. But once mastered, I found it to be the
best way to *precisely* hit a spot. In fact, I used the technique
exclusively once learned.

As you observe, it is less manueverable with the tailwheel planted
(generally a good thing) but full forward stick will fix that
suprisingly well. I was once carrying a little too much speed
approaching the airport fence (didn't want to push it to the end for a
relight)and clamped down on what was an apparently frayed brake cable.
The cable broke. I dumped a wing tip while pushing forward and did the
nicest little ground loop. It was a pretty low speed event but if the
tailwheel hadn't come up I probably would have lost the tail.

Personally, I kept my PIK on 2 wheels and no flaps as much as possible.
The flaps came down at liftoff and during approach but I spent very
little time with the flaps deployed and rolling.

Now if I just had a fixed tailwheel on the Maule....

Mike Leach wrote:
The only point I disagree with is trying to make a
two point landing. If you do this. the angle of attack
is too high and you will float and bounce all the way
down the field - especially if not very flat [tarmac
runway may let you get away with it].

I have been flying the PIK 20B since 1996 and I believe
it is a wonderful machine once you understand the differences.
Certainly I have made very short landings in small
fields where others have said they would not have been
able to do that in many popular gliders. On one occasion
I found a wire fence across the landing run but because
the tail was not on the ground I was able to turn through
almost 90 deg with rudder and miss the fence - inspite
of the ineffectiveness of a small rudder.
Keep the tail high to reduce the AOA until the speed
has bled/braked off and landing is easy.