Tailwheel instructor UK

[youngflier]

Hi guys!
I've recently completed my PPL and I've just got my tailwheel endorsement. However, although I am proficient enough for the sign off, my tailwheel instructor did not include wheeler landings and only a very brief groundschool. Therefore, as I want to become the best stick and rudder pilot that I can be, I would like to fly with another tailwheel instructor to fill in the gaps. I would be willing to travel!

My aim is to end up flying and possibly displaying vintage aircraft, so I want to be a very good tailwheel pilot!

Who is the best instructor you guys could recommend?

Thanks :-)

[Pilot DAR]

Welcome youngflier,

Ask Genghis the Engineer, who can be found among these posts.

By the way, good thinking, I prefer to wheel land all of the taildraggers I fly!

[tiger26isfinals]

I can thoroughly recommend James Peplow of Aircraft Differences Training based near Gloucester. I have no connection to him, other than he did my tailwheel endorsement.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Welcome youngflier,

Ask Genghis the Engineer, who can be found among these posts.

By the way, good thinking, I prefer to wheel land all of the taildraggers I fly!
I'd be glad to help out, but don't presently have access to an aeroplane I can instruct on myself. If you're interested in coaching in your own or a syndicate aeroplane, drop me an email to boffin at engineer dot com, and we can have a chat about it.

G

[S-Works]

If you are Midlands I would be happy to help out. I have over 6,000hrs of Tailwheel time so hopefully fit the bill.

[hobbit1983]

David Wood at Old Sarum (GoFly). Tiger Moths :ok:

[John_Reid]

In my opinion, you will stay out of trouble more, by three pointing the aircraft, as a general rule. "Wheeling it on" is more risk in bouncing, especially with a spring steel main u/c. Your instructor taught you the important one, the three pointer.

I have ten years ag flying in 6 different tailwheel aircraft. Albeit it over thirty years ago. On several aircraft I flew, had a tail wheel lock, to lock the castering tailwheel in the centralised, position when the stick was in the aft position. The wheel landing procedure requires the stick to be full forward until the tail wheel is on the ground, before locking can commence, on those aircraft.

i always three pointed the aircraft, or a "tail down wheeler" when appropriate.

My 10 cents worth.

[Maoraigh1]

Crosswind landings in strong winds are one-point. Nearing stall speed the aileron/rudder balance changes. Learn wheelers.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Get to know the specific aeroplane - fly that one, not some generic taildragger! Some prefer wheelers, some 3-pointers, some are ambivalent.

G

[Dan_Brown]

Get to know the specific aeroplane - fly that one, not some generic taildragger! Some prefer wheelers, some 3-pointers, some are ambivalent.

G
Agree. The unlimited category tailwheel race aircraft at Reno, NV. For example. The props are so close to the ground one would risk a prop strike by not 3 pointing the a/c. During a 3 point landing the risk of tipping it over on landing are also greatly reduced.

[S-Works]

Our Dorniers are only ever wheeled on and then we push forward against the reverse thrust from the engines to stop the tail banging down.

[foxmoth]

Get to know the specific aeroplane - fly that one, not some generic taildragger! Some prefer wheelers, some 3-pointers, some are ambivalent.

Whilst I agree with that this is someone that does not know how to wheel on so I would say yes, go and learn how to do it, but make sure the aircraft is suitable for learning that, also, when you then go and fly a new tailwheel type learn the specific advice for that type.
Quite a good example is our RV7, wheels on nicely - as long as the tyres are fully inflated, if they are not then it really does not want to know!

[Kemble Pitts]

If you are in the Staverton/Oaksey Park/Kemble area I'd be pleased to help with tailwheel coaching.

Different conditions and different aeroplanes require different techniques. As has been noted above, it is important to know them all and when to apply them.

PM me or e-mail liber1 at outlook dot com (if you see what I mean) if I can help; if not then good luck with your flying. Tailwheel aeroplanes are proper in my opinion (tin hat going on).

[ak7274]

If you are in the LAA, get in touch with them. They have Pilot coaches who have lots of tailwheel coaching experience.

[Kemble Pitts]

The LAA Coaching Scheme is a very good system with coaches all around the country. I'm happy to say that I am one of them.

[S-Works]

As am I...... ;)

[sycamore]

bose,what Dorniers do you operate then....??

[taybird]

If you're really serious about tailwheel, vintage and display flying, you could do worse than Cambridge Flying Group. They're the group that operate two Tiger Moths at Cambridge. Tigers are great for teaching tailwheel finesse and are equally happy with a three point and wheeler landings. They also teach you about the finer etiquette of operating vintage aeroplanes.

The other route to consider is to buy a share in a relatively simple, inexpensive tailwheel type. A smaller-engined Cub is a perfect example. These are great for building experience and, in the right conditions, developing your confidence and competence in tailwheel taxying, take-off and landing one, two and three point, all of which have more opportunity to bite if executed badly. Pick the right conditions to practice and you'll find the aeroplane will teach you more than you might think.

[tiger26isfinals]

Just one further point to consider...if you do buy an aircraft or share intending to do tailwheel differences training on it, make sure it has dual brakes.

[S-Works]

bose,what Dorniers do you operate then....??

DO28 Twin Turbine Tailwheels.

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

Only one thing will make you a competent tailwheel pilot - experience! So get lots and lots of tailwheel time under your belt, flying in all sorts of winds into and out of all sorts of strips.

[foxmoth]

.if you do buy an aircraft or share intending to do tailwheel differences training on it, make sure it has dual brakes.
As Taybird said, the dH82a is VERY suited to this, but I would rather have one without brakes (unless operating on tarmac)

[India Four Two]

So get lots and lots of tailwheel time under your belt, flying in all sorts of winds into and out of all sorts of strips.

And even then, don't let down your guard for a second. The only time I've ever come close to ground-looping was after more than 2000 three-point landings!

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

Indeed. The only time I came close to ground looping was my first tailwheel landing in about 2 years following a period with a share in the 'land-o-matic' Yak52.