Tailwheel Airplane Endorsement Lesson Plan

Special Cases • 14 CFR 61.31(i)

The Tailwheel Airplane Endorsement Lesson Plan develops the ground and flight proficiency required by 14 CFR 61.31(i), including normal and crosswind takeoffs and landings, wheel landings, and go-arounds.

Tailwheel Airplane Endorsement Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Ground Training:
    1:00
    Flight Training:
    2:00
    Postflight and Endorsement:
    0:15
    Planned Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Ask why a tailwheel airplane can remain under control throughout touchdown yet ground loop moments later.

  • Motivator:

    • Tailwheel flying develops precise directional control and continuous attention from engine start until the airplane is secured.

  • Objective:

    • Develop and evaluate the knowledge and flight proficiency required for the tailwheel-airplane logbook endorsement.

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Tailwheel Airplane Endorsement Lesson Plan

Materials

Tailwheel Airplane Endorsement Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Ground Training:

    • Review conventional-gear geometry, visibility, taxi technique, wind controls, torque effects, ground-loop dynamics, braking, and aircraft limitations.
    • Explain three-point and wheel landings, crosswind controls, bounce and swerve recovery, and go-around decisions.

  • Flight Training:

    • Practice taxiing, normal and crosswind takeoffs and landings, wheel landings unless the manufacturer recommends against them, and go-around procedures.
    • Emphasize alignment, directional control, correct control positioning, and active control through rollout.

  • Postflight:

    • Debrief recurring tendencies and issue the endorsement only after satisfactory proficiency is demonstrated.
Tailwheel Airplane Endorsement Lesson Plan

Student Actions

  • Explain tailwheel handling characteristics and loss-of-control risks.
  • Maintain continuous directional control during taxi, takeoff, landing, and rollout.
  • Demonstrate normal and crosswind operations, wheel landings as applicable, and go-arounds.
Tailwheel Airplane Endorsement Lesson Plan

Completion Standards

  • The pilot demonstrates the knowledge and flight proficiency required by §61.31(i).
  • Directional control, alignment, wind correction, and judgment remain consistently safe without instructor assistance.
Tailwheel Airplane Endorsement Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Tailwheel proficiency strengthens the pilot’s awareness of alignment, wind, and aircraft momentum in every airplane.

  • Closure:

    • Review wind limitations, continued practice, and the applicable AC 61-65K endorsement.