"Deftly they opened the brain of a child, and it was full of flying dreams" - Stanley Kunitz
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"Deftly they opened the brain of a child, and it was full of flying dreams" - Stanley Kunitz
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TAILWHEEL TRANSITION TRAINING Mason's Flight Training Co. is one of the few flight training companies that still offer training in tailwheel airplanes. In the 1930's and '40's, the tailwheel configuration was how all airplanes were constructed. The tailwheel airplane was easier to construct, had less drag, and provided better prop clearance for the large radial engines. The disadvantage with tailwheel airplanes is that the center of gravity is behind the main wheels. In the air, tricycle gear and tailwheel airplanes fly the same. but on the ground, it is same as driving your car backwards at 60 miles per hour. The plane wants to swap ends, performing a maneuver called a ground loop. Of course, it is the pilot's responsibility to not let that happen. Why would anyone want to learn to fly a tailwheel airplane? Basically because it is FUN. Why were we all so eager at a young age to ditch the tricycle and ride on two wheels but now as pilots we want the tricycle back? Todd has never figured this out. He is now passionate about letting other pilots experience the freedom and fun of two wheels. Is flying tailwheel airplanes hard? No, the pilots of the '30's and '40's thought it was easy and Todd has found that his primary students that start out in tailwheel planes think that also. They learn in the same amount of time if not sooner because the tailwheel airplane requires attention from the start. It will not allow sloppy habits to form. I am a pilot but have not flown a tailwheel, what must I learn? It is exactly the same skills only more finely tuned. You must fly the airplane from when it starts rolling to when it stops. There are books after books written on tailwheel flying but it comes down to six simple skills. Keep the plane aligned with the centerline with the rudder. Keep the plane from drifting in a crosswind with the ailerons. When landing, if the main gear touch first, push forward. If the tailwheel touches first, pull back. When the tail is on the ground the stick or yoke should be held full back and most importantly - after two bounces go around! Simple as that. But it will take practice. How many hours does it take? A tailwheel endorsement is required from a CFI in your logbook unless pilot-in-command time was logged in a tailwheel airplane before April 15, 1991. The endorsement is regulated by section 61.31(i) in the FAR's. No minimum hours are stated, only proficiency in:
Typically, the tailwheel endorsement takes between 6 and 8 hours. How much does it Cost? The dual training is charged at a rate of $100.00 per hour. |
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