Scaring myself - Tail Wheel Flying - Strong Gusting Cross Wind - Ground Loop Risk

Finding your limit as a Pilot can be Scary… But it's the best way to Learn…
Proud to be associated with ForeFlight: http://www.foreflight.com/flightchops/

The Ground Loop is one of our biggest fears as tail wheel pilots.
I am constantly trying to stretch my limits and get better as a pilot…
For this flight, I'm working hard to improve as a Tail Wheel Pilot; I'd been flying a fair bit so I was "in the zone" and felt ready for a strong cross wind!
But it is a fine line, and I scared myself on this flight; I had a close call nearly Ground Looping, and am happy to share the experience through the analysis provided in this video!
The flip side is that if you're "not feelin' it" even if it is a beautiful day, don't hesitate to cancel a flight.
That would fall under the "I.M.S.A.F.E. check list.

Big thanks to "planesounds" for sharing the footage of a very well captured ground loop in a Stearman.
Please visit their channel here:
   / planesounds  

NOTE: regarding letting passengers (pilot or not) take the controls:
It would have been an ugly insurance claim if Mehran’s taxi troubles put us in the ditch…
A prop strike would have been likely - and expensive.
And it would have been my problem as I was PIC; and regardless of Mehran being pilot, he was not signed off on the aircraft.

Big thanks to Dennis for the awesome training, and for consulting on the technical stuff regarding this edit, and the ground loop animation. (Jared, Dave, and Aaron helped with that as well!) 

Sponsor / Supporter Links:

iCloth Avionics:
http://www.iclothavionics.com/flight-...

Spectrum Airways Flight Training:
http://www.spectrumairways.com/

Huge thanks to all the Supporters on Patreon! We're approaching the 3rd milestone goal!
For those that haven't seen it, please check the Flight Chops Patreon page to find out how you can be a part of it!

  / flightchops  

See the Flight Chops main channel for all sorts of flying content from aerobatics to IFR training, and much more Tail Wheel Flying!

NOTE: this flight was EDITED down from over an hour to under 15 minutes; Thus, there are missing details and possible lost context.
Also, I am NOT an instructor, so PLEASE do not look at this as instruction but rather the start to a conversation that you can have with your instructor.

Flight Chops branding music featured is written and produced by Chris and Rob from "Big Honkin' Spaceship" For all your music and post sound needs, please check them out at:

http://www.bighonkinspaceship.com/

Here are the direct links to some other Tail Wheel Flying videos that I've done,
but please also check my channel in case I forget to update the links here in this description:

1st solo in the Super Cub
(Great illustration of trim usage, and my WORST landing is also in this video)

   • My 1st Solo!… AGAIN! - best + WORST l...  


Wheel Landing on pavement

   • Tail Dragger training - Wheel Landing...  

Ski Flying:

   • 1st time Ski Flying! - Super Cub - Ta...  

Upset Recovery and Spin Training - Bellanca Citabria

   • Upset Recovery and Spin Training - Be...  

Flying a Tail Dragger - Tip #3 - Taxi + Run-up + Take-Off - Shoes Matter!

   • Flying a Tail Dragger - Tip #3 - Taxi...  

Super Cub - Finding Zen - Grass Strip - Tail Wheel Flying - Short Field Landing practice
   • Super Cub - Finding Zen - Grass Strip...  


FLIGHT CHOPS DISCLAIMER:
I am a "weekend warrior" private pilot, I fly for fun with no intentions of going commercial. I have had my PPL for over 15 years, but still consider each flight a learning experience - I generally take detailed notes after each flight to remind myself what went well or what I could do to improve.... Having the GoPro cameras to record flights like this is invaluable. I find these self analysis videos very helpful in my constant quest to improve, and am happy to share. Feedback is invited; however, please keep it positive.