Taildragger Tactics

Some crusty old-timers like to say,"If you ain't a taildragger pilot, you ain't (whatever)!" Or words to that effect.

This is not true. The wheels are arranged slightly differently, so it's sort of like like going from a scooter to a skateboard. Some pilots have likened tail-draggers to pushing a loaded shopping cart backwards. Well, some of the unlikeliest people on earth have mastered skateboards and shopping carts! So it's not impossible that you, the average pilot, should be able to successfully master a tail-dragger. Yes! You can do it!

Taildraggers are not harder to fly than tricycle-gear airplanes. But they are different. Once the differences are mastered, the pilot has no more trouble operating the taildragger than the tricycle gear, despite the fact the taildragger has stricter limitations concerning crosswind operations.

The book has been structured to allow one to read from the beginning to the end much like a novel. Each chapter builds and expands upon information that was presented in the previous chapter; however, each chapter is also self-contained to allow one to read only the chapters desired.

Flying a taildragger (just like riding a skateboard) requires knowledge and skill. The knowledge is imparted in this book. The skill is something that must be developed in the airplane. So put on your mitts and elbow pads, and jump right in!