Table of Contents
Acknowledgments vii
Introduction ix
1 Finding the Right Tailwheel Instructor 1
2 The Basics 5
3 Getting It Started 9
4 Tailwheel Taxiing 13
5 High-Speed Taxiing 17
6 Normal and Soft-Field Takeoffs 19
Skipping 21
Yaw Fluctuation 22
Takeoff Stall 22
7 Short-Field Takeoffs 23
8 Tailwheel Aircraft Landings 25
The Three-Point Landing 28
The Wheel Landing 29
Tail-Low Wheel Landing 32
9 Short-Field and Soft-Field Landings 35
Short-Field Landing 35
Soft-Field Landing 36
Landing Challenges 37
10 Tailwheel Crosswind Operations 39
Crosswind Taxiing 39
Crosswind Takeoffs 40
Cross wind Landings 41
11 The Ground Loop 43
12 Considering Differences Between Tailwheel Aircraft 45
Different Types of Tail Wheels 45
Narrow or Wide Gear, Long or Short Aircraft 47
Toe or Heel Brakes 47
Tandem or Side-by-Side Seating 49
Engines 50
13 Older Planes 53
Parts Availability 54
Mechanic Availability 54
Insurance 55
Manuals and Documentation Availability 56
Benefits of Older Aircraft 57
14 The Many Modifications of Tailwheel Aircraft 59
Bigger Engines 59
Propeller Changes 60
Short-Field Performance Modifications 61
Big Tires 61
Main Gear Modifications 63
Bungees vs. Spring Steel Gear 63
Tail Wheel Changes 64
15 Primary Training and Testing in a Tailwheel Aircraft 67
16 So You Want To Be a Tailwheel Instructor 69
17 "General Rules" of Tailwheel Flying 73
Resources 77
The Tailwheel Endorsement 81
About the Author 83