Looks like I get to fly a IV- any tips??

[cgruby]

Yeah, just keep the pointy end forward and it'll fly just like a "real" airplane. Probably the biggest problem you'll have is slowing it down on the approach. Remember this thing stalls at 30, so you can't bring it in at 80. You should be rock solid on 50 during the approach. Do that and keep you feet moving once on the ground, and enjoy.

[HighWing]

Tony,
A story. I once used a CFI for biannual flight reviews who flew a lot in Alaska. he loved tail draggers and especially Kitfoxes. He would always ask if he could take it for a while and loved to fly along the runway touching first right wheel then left with a grin on his face. Problem - after every BFR, I had to change the tires. I couldn't convince him that he was not lined up properly to the runway and he would scrub the rubber to the cord on the outer edges of the tires.

The long axis on most airplanes will approximate the outer surface of the cowl. Not on a Model IV. The cowl tapers toward the spinner and if you line up using the cowl surface you are in a slight crab. When I was transitioning, I was advised to put a mark on the windshield that would indicate the center line of the plane. While on the ground, line the airplane up facing a landmark such as a distant tree. Get in the cockpit, wiggle a bit to find the comfortable position, then with a grease pencil or some other lexan compatible marker. - I used a strip of fine line masking tape - put a vertical mark over the tree or other landmark. When on approach while focused on the end of the runway, the marks will help with the line-up.

Another thought, the only horizontal structure within view of the pilot is the forward spar carry through. Kitfoxes are notoriously flown one wing low.