How to Get Your Tailwheel Endorsement

I got my tailwheel endorsement about ten years ago in a Citabria at a grass strip outside Austin. It was humbling – after 200 hours in Cessnas, I felt like a student pilot again. But the skills I developed during those 12 hours of training made me a better pilot in everything I’ve flown since. The tailwheel endorsement opens doors to flying classic aircraft, backcountry strips, and warbirds, and the training teaches skills that transfer to any aircraft.

Quick answer: Getting a tailwheel endorsement requires 7-15 hours of dual instruction costing $1,500-$3,000 total. Training covers wheel landings, three-point landings, crosswind techniques, and ground handling. No written test or checkride is required – just a CFI logbook endorsement per FAR 61.31(i). Most pilots complete the endorsement in 5-7 days of intensive training.

Training Requirements

FAR 61.31(i) requires instruction in normal and crosswind takeoffs and landings, wheel landings, and go-around procedures. No minimum hours are specified, but most pilots need 7-15 hours depending on experience and natural aptitude. The instructor signs your logbook when proficient.

Training typically starts with straight-line taxiing to develop rudder awareness. You’ll practice high-speed taxis before attempting takeoffs. Probably should have led with this, honestly: ground loops are discussed extensively from day one – prevention is the primary focus throughout training.

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay $150-$250 per hour for aircraft rental (Piper Cub, Citabria, or similar). Instructor fees run $60-$100 per hour. Total costs range from $1,500 for efficient students to $3,000 for those needing additional practice.

Some schools offer accelerated programs with lodging packages. A typical 5-day intensive course costs $2,500-$3,500 all-inclusive. The concentrated training helps muscle memory develop faster than once-weekly lessons.

Common Training Aircraft

The Piper J-3 Cub is the classic trainer with 65 hp and gentle handling. The Cessna 120/140 offers side-by-side seating with slightly higher performance. Citabrias provide aerobatic capability and 150 hp for more challenging training. Decathlons give excellent visibility and responsive controls.

Choose based on what you plan to fly after training. If you want to fly Cubs, train in Cubs.

Key Skills You’ll Develop

Rudder coordination becomes second nature – tailwheels demand constant feet movement. Crosswind correction techniques transfer directly to nosewheel aircraft. Energy management improves as you learn to judge three-point versus wheel landing approaches. Situational awareness increases with the limited forward visibility on the ground.

That’s what makes tailwheel training valuable even if you never fly conventional gear again – the precision it demands improves everything about your flying.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t rush the ground roll – keep the stick back until clear of the runway. Avoid over-controlling with rudder, which induces oscillations. Never let the aircraft weathervane into the wind without correction. Don’t balloon landings by flaring too high or too fast.

Students often fixate on the nose position instead of looking down the runway. Learning when to go around instead of salvaging a bad landing is crucial – tailwheels are less forgiving than nosewheels.

Insurance and Practical Benefits

Many insurance companies require tailwheel time for coverage on conventional gear aircraft. The endorsement reduces premiums on vintage aircraft and backcountry planes. Some warbird organizations require 25-50 hours tailwheel time before checking out in their aircraft.

Beyond insurance, the skills make you employable for specialty flying jobs. Bush flying, agricultural aviation, and warbird operations all prefer or require tailwheel experience. Many pilots report improved confidence and stick-and-rudder skills that last their entire career.