Tailwheel books

[Lister Noble]

I will be doing a tailwheel conversion after obtaining my PPL and wonder which book is the best to read before starting the course?
I know about Stick and Rudder and believe there are others, but cannot find much on the web.
It is my birthday soon, and this would make a useful and very acceptable present.
Lister:)

[djpil]

Three Points: Flying a Tailwheel Aircraft (http://www.aviationtheory.net.au/tw.html)

[OpenCirrus619]

Purely taildragger: The Compleat Taildragger Pilot (http://www.transair.co.uk/product4.asp?CustomerID=1041708&ACBSessionID=46BOebA8TAdY7ss0Up90&SID=2&Product_ID=715)

Damn good for any "real" aeroplane: Stick and Rudder (http://shop.pilotwarehouse.co.uk/product9760023catno0.html)

OC619

[FlyingForFun]

"The Compleat Taildragger Pilot", as already recommended by OC619, is the only book you'll ever need on the subject.

FFF
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[Islander2]

A WHOLE book to learn how to convert onto a tail-dragger? Talk about overkill! :D

Instead, try "Tail-wheels without tears", an article by Brian Lecomber in Pilot Magazine, April 1976. Contains ALL you need to know for your initial tail-wheel conversion onto any of the popular types, and written authoritatively in the author's wonderfully readable, inimitable style.

Available for about £5, I believe, as a photocopy of the original from Pilot Magazine's office. Celebrate, and buy yourself a decent bottle of wine with the saving you've made by not acquiring a book!

If they can't supply, PM me with your postal address and I'll mail you a copy.

[Islander2]

Okay, here's a suggestion to save you even more money. My, I'm in a philanthropic mood today!

Look at http://www.avweb.com/news/columns/182708-1.html and find Rick Durden's three tail-wheel articles written in 2002: "Why not fly tailwheel", "Tailwheels, Part II: The Checkout" and "Tailwheels, Part III: Full Stall or Wheel Landing?".

All you need to know ... and free (save for a little bandwidth)!

[Lister Noble]

Thank you everyone,I could have a book and a bottle as it's my birthday.
Just thought,I must have one every day then!
Lister:D

[AerBabe]

Someone (I think it was it that infamous Purple Pitts Pilot) gave me a little leaflet when I started tailwheeling. It is called 'Flying tailwheels, a few notes...' and is written by Jim Alderton. I found it was excellent, and a much easier read than The Compleat Taildragger Pilot (of which I also have a copy). I have a feeling he got it from Clacton, but I couldn't be sure. Perhaps he'll read this and let me know. :confused:

[stiknruda]

It came from Redhill via a friend Arclite.

Did you see the photo of you I posted in the pix thread?

Lister - you've got mail!


Stik

[AerBabe]

Photo? Of me? No? :uhoh:

[AerBabe]

Found it now ... do you realise how many years ago that was?! :uhoh:

[stiknruda]

Actually I can pin point the date to about a week. My life changed inextricably once you'd pitched up!


Stik

poorer but wiser and happier!!!

[SlipSlider]

For a simple outline of tailwheel'ing, I found 'Taming the Taildragger' by John Ball (ISBN 0-929214-06-04) to be excellent; easy to understand, succinct, and not too technical.
Slip

[ChampChump]

Whilst agreeing with everyone (Hi Slip!) I shall add Conventional Gear, Flying a Taildragger, by David Robson, because it's good to get birthday (or un-birthday) books. This one also has notes on some specific aeroplanes.
That said, there's not that much in any of the books that can't be condensed into a shorter article, as stated. There's no substiture for just Doing It.:D

[djpil]

I shall add Conventional Gear, Flying a Taildragger, by David Robson, because it's good to get birthday (or un-birthday) books. This one also has notes on some specific aeroplanes.
Aha, it has a different title in the UK, here in Oz it is: Three Points: Flying a Tailwheel Aircraft (http://www.aviationtheory.net.au/tw.html)
I agree, you don't need the book but it is good reading. Some other online notes by
Rich Stowell (http://www.richstowell.com/dragger.htm) and at the http://www.taildraggers.com/ (http://www.taildraggers.com/Documentation.aspx)