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Tailwheel Endorsement

Why Get Your Tailwheel Endorsement

Getting your tailwheel endorsement opens up a new realm of flying experiences and enhances your piloting skills. Tailwheel aircraft provide a unique challenge, improving your coordination and control while developing deeper understanding of aircraft handling. This endorsement can enhance your resume, making you a more versatile pilot and increasing your opportunities to fly in various environments. Flying a tailwheel aircraft can be incredibly rewarding, as it connects you with the roots of aviation history and the joy of classic flying.

"When all is said and done, the pilot transitioning successfully to taildraggers will be amazed at the ease with which the airplane can be flown, and will do so with a great sense of Pride" - Harvey S. Plourde 
May our efforts contribute to the preservation of the few taildraggers which we have left. 

Module 1

During this stage the student will learn the essential ground knowledge necessary for the safe operation of tailwheel aircraft. The student will learn ground handling techniques, principles of light airplane flying, and become competent at Three-Point Takeoffs and Landings.

Ground Instruction:

Tailwheel Concepts:

  • Stability

  • ​Momentum

  • Propellor Rotation Factor

  • Accelerated Slipstream

  • Spiraling Slipstream

  • Gyroscopic Precession

  • Torque​

Tailwheel Environment:

  • Wind

  • Runway

  • Characteristics of Various Airframes

    • Powerplant Differences

    • Main Gear Spacing, Distance to Tailwheel & CG

    • Main Landing Gear Composition

    •  Tail Landing Gear Composition​​

    • Weathervaning Tendencies

    • Angular Momentum

    • Visibility

Ground Operation:

  • Engine Start

  • Before Taxiing

  • Taxiing

    • S-Turns​

  • Wind Direction and Magnitude

  • Turning the Airplane 

  • Braking

  • Engine Run-Up

    • Special Emphasis on Idle Check

  • High Speed Taxiing

  • What is "Wing Walking"?

Takeoff:

  • ​​Normal Takeoff

    • 3 Point Takeoff​

      • Crosswind Varient​

    • Wheel Takeoff

      • Crosswind Varient​

  • Short Field Takeoff

    • Associated Flap Usage​

  • Soft Field Takeoff​​

    • Associated Flap Usage​

Landings:

  • Normal Landings

    • 3 Point Landing​​

      • Crosswind Varient​

    • Wheel Landing

      • Crosswind Varient​

  • Short Field Landing

    • 3 Point Attitude​

      • Associated Flap Usage 

      • Associated Brake Usage​

    • Tail Up Attitude (Wheel)

      • Associated Flap Usage

      • Associated Brake Usage​

  • Soft Field Landing 

    • 3 Point Attitude​

      • Associated Flap Usage 

      • Associated Brake Usage​

Runway Departure & Taxi Home:​

  • Airspeed & Momentum Control Prior to Turnoff

  • Crosswind Control Inputs

  • Use of "Wing Walkers"

  • Wind Forecast Awareness

    • Self Serve Fueling

    • Parking Positioning

  • Securing and Post Flight Check

Flight Instruction:

Unique Preflight Items:

  • Fabric

  • Aerobatic Aircraft Emphases

  • Steel Stringers

  • Tail Feathers Check

  • Tailwheel

    • Angle​

    • Pressure

    • Bolts, Leaf Springs, Steering Springs

    • Locking and Unlocking

  • Emergency Equipment Locations

Moving and Positioning Aircraft From Outside:

  • Tailwheel Tow Bar Usage

  • Stringers Usage 

  • Lift Handle

Ground and Taxi Operations:​

  • Engine Start

  • Brake and Rudder Check

  • ​Taxi Considerations

    • Wind Direction and Magnitude

    • S-Turns​

  • Practice Various Circles and Turns

    • Crosswind Control Inputs

  • Engine Run-Up​

  • Hold Short Traffic Clearing Procedure

3-Point Takeoff:

  • Clearing Runway In Advance

  • Elevator Position

  • Crosswind Controls

  • Understand Left Turn Tendencies

  • Stall Speed Rotation to Vy Climb

Climb Out:

  • AOA and Visibility

  • Understand Left Turn Tendencies

  • Vy Departure Climb

  • Constant Speed Climbs and Turns

  • Constant Rate Climbs and Turns

Maneuvers:​

  • Climbing Dutch Rolls

  • Straight Dutch Rolls

  • Maneuvering in Slow Flight 

  • Power On and Off Stalls Straight and Turning

  • Steep Turns, Chandelles, Lazy Eight's

  • Descending Slips 

  • Turns Around Points, Eight's on Pylons

Pattern Work:

  • Entry and Pattern Altitude 

3-Point Landing

  • Counting Drill​

  • Running Drill

  • Crosswind Landings

3-Point Takeoff​

Taxi Back and Securing

​Several Flights as Needed for 3 Point Proficiency

Module 2

 

During this stage the student will learn Wheel Take-Off's and Landings

Ground Instruction:

Review Wheel-Takeoff Procedures

  • Emphasis on Left Turn Tendencies

Review Wheel-Landing Procedures

  • Emphasis on Bounce Recovery and Go-Around 

    • Go Around Left Turn Tendencies​

Flight Instruction:

Normal Wheel Takeoff

  • Elevator Position

  • Tail Up Speed and Attitude​

    • Understand Associated Left Turn Tendencies​

  • Rotation Speed and Attitude

    • Understand Associated Left Turn Tendencies​

Normal Wheel Landing

  • Approach and Speed Control

  • Landing Attitude and Speed

  • Bounce Recovery

    • 3-Point 

    • Go Around

Continual Tasks

Several Flights as Needed for Wheel Landing Proficiency

Module 3

During this stage the student will hone skills and practice landing with precision and accuracy in both Wheel and 3-Point landing styles interchangeably and at random. Student will learn procedures for Short Field, Soft Field, and One-Wheel Takeoffs and Landings. High Speed taxi will also be practiced and introduced.
At the end of this Module, Tailwheel Endorsement will be Awarded!

Ground Instruction:

Review Unpracticed Procedures

  • Soft Field Takeoff, Taxi, and Landing

    • Takeoff Abort Point

    • Spot Landing ​

    • Landing Missed Point Abort

  • Short Field Takeoff and Landing

    • Takeoff Abort Point

    • Spot Landing​

    • Landing Missed Point Abort 

  • One Wheel Takeoffs 

    • Stick Position​

  • One Wheel Landings

    • Switching Back and Forth (Calm wind Required)​

  • Full Slip To Landing

  • Power Off Approach to Landing

  • Overshoot Final Drill​

Flight Instruction:

Continual Tasks and Procedures​

Soft Field Operations

  • Taxi

  • Takeoff

    • Elevator Position

    • Throttle Advance

    • Aborting Takeoff​ on Soft Field

    • Clearing Obstacles

  • Landing

    • Clearing Obstacles

    • Spot Landing

    • Smooth Touchdown

    • Stick Position

    • Aborting Landing​ on Soft Field

  • Soft Field Taxi Back​​

Short Field Operations

  • Takeoff

    • Elevator Position​

    • Throttle Advance

    • Tail Up Timing and Position

    • Aborting Takeoff

    • Clearing Obstacles

  • Landing

    • 3-Point Landing​

      • Clearing Obstacles

      • Spot Landing

      • Aborting Landing

      • Brake Usage​

    • Wheel Landing (For Visibility)

      • Clearing Obstacles

      • Spot Landing

      • Aborting Landing

      • Brake Usage​​

One Wheel Takeoffs (Crosswind Wheel Takeoff)

  • Wind Direction 

  • Gear Consideration

One Wheel Landing (Crosswind Wheel Landing)

  • Wind Direction 

  • Gear Consideration

  • Transition From Left to Right

  • One Wheel Touch & Go's

  • Checking Soft Field Ground Firmness Technique

Full Slip to Land

  • Know Aircraft Limitations (None in Citabria)

  • Do Not Overuse/Abuse this Technique!!!

Simulated Engine Out Approach to Land 

  • Know Best Glide

  • Spot Landing

Overshooting Final Exercise​

High Speed Taxi

Continual Tasks & Procedures

Several Flights as Needed for Proficiency

Final Review, Tailwheel Endorsement Received

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