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Old 9th Jun 2020, 16:25
  #17 (permalink)  
beamer
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: uk
Posts: 1,965
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Its not rocket science but its not just a couple of hours and 'away you go'. Its a formal course and licence endorsement in the USA whilst in the UK its a conversion to solo standard without anything going into your licence itself.

Before starting a course, grab a copy of THE COMPLEAT TAILDRAGGER PILOT by Harvey Plourde so that you can do some studying before groundschool with your Instructor. Once briefed you should spend some time learning to taxy the aircraft safely because taildraggers can get away from you in even light winds and depending upon type, visibility is probably going to be restricted over the nose.

Some upper air work should be conducted first to look at general handling and sideslip techniques before joining the circuit.

Once you have the knack of a different take-off technique with a couple of extra aspects of propeller handling you will need to master both three-point and wheeler landings which are taught in that order. Training should be given on both hard and grass runways in a variety of wind conditions. Ground handling is particularly important and the task is not complete until the parking brake is applied on shutdown and/or the chocks are in place.

All great fun and a bit of a challenge for those who have only flown tricycle types up to now - its not difficult but it is different !
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