TAILWHEEL TRANSITION COURSE

The Tailwheel Transition Course provides training in a Cessna 150 with the "Texas Taildragger" modification. This aircraft is economical to operate and not as difficult to handle on the ground as many other types of tailwheel airplane. It is, nonetheless, much more of a challenge than the tricycle gear version of that airplane. Training involves taxi turns at various speeds, fast taxi runs on the runway with the tail up, and, of course, takeoffs and landings. Landings are normally stop and goes rather than touch and goes because the hardest part can be controlling the airplane after touch down on the runway. Landing practice normally takes place at the airports at Gustavus, Hoonah, or Snettisham due to the heavy traffic at Juneau International. This provides a pilotage exercise until the student becomes familiar with the area.

The course requires as much flight time as the student needs to master the techniques. There are several good books available on the subject which the student would find helpful. Sporty's sells the text The Complete Taildragger Pilot by Plourde. A well prepared student should be able to complete the course in ten hours. Keep in mind, however, that some bad habits that pilots have in tricycle gear airplanes become really dangerous in a tailwheel airplane. One example of this is over use of the brakes.

The fee structure is the same as for the Mountain Flying Course. Some solo flying is included if the student purchases insurance.