Tailwheel instructor UK
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: UK
Tailwheel instructor UK
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 :-)
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 :-)
Fleet Manager
Joined: Aug 2006
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 7,089
Likes: 2,952
From: Ontario, Canada
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!
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!
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 14,480
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From: UK
G
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: orlando
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.
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.
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
From: Yes.
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.
Last edited by Dan_Brown; 19th January 2017 at 14:52.
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 1
From: Oop North, UK
Get to know the specific aeroplane - fly that one, not some generic taildragger! Some prefer wheelers, some 3-pointers, some are ambivalent.
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!
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 263
Likes: 4
From: Cotswolds
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).
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).
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: UK
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.
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.