We're flying to Alaska in an experimental plane...a Murphy Moose. This plane is designed to haul a lot of camping gear, with a useful load of 1,500+ pounds!

• Murphy Moose....................visit Murphy Aircraft
• M-14P-XDK 360 HP
• 8.50 x 6 mains
• 11 x 4.00-5 tailwheel
• Vortex generators....................visit Pacific NW Aero
• Avg cruise speed: 115 knots @ 15 g/hr
• 3-blade, 92" diameter Hartzell....................visit Hartzell
• Wingspan: 36' 4"
• Length: 27' 8"

We've had a lot of fun with the Moose, flying it to Montana's backcountry, the Utah desert and to Oshkosh. I have a long list of tasks yet to complete on our plane, not the least of which is to paint it. As with anything, there are always other tasks, other priorities that seem to always get themselves inserted higher on the priority list.

Flying the Moose is not any harder than probably most other tailwheel planes. Prior to getting in the Moose I had some time in a Champ and 400 hours in a Maule M-5 tailwheel plane.

I found some differences between the Maule and the Moose--for instance, I thought the Maule was a natural for 3-point landings. Due to the large engine and cowling, I find it much easier to wheel-land the Moose.

The VG's are a recent addition. As of June 8, I only have a little over an hour's time thus far with the VG's on.  My best guess is that my full-flap stall is perhaps 2 to 4 knots less, but that's a guess. I believe I do have much better aileron control in slow speed, high angle of attack, situations. I've been able to drop my approach speed by 5+ knots and still feel controls are solid.  Elevator control seems far more effective in the flare with VG's than previously without VG's.