Flying Tailwheels, What’s the Big Deal?
Saturday morning November 21, 2026 c/o EAA chapter 691
Pilot's Lounge, Atlantic FBO, Santa Fe Airport (KSAF)
Free Parking in cell phone lot near stop sign entering airport
Ramp fees reduced for fly-in attendees of this event
9:30am Coffee and donuts
10:00am EAA 691 Business
10:30am Tailwheels Presentation
Flying a tailwheel airplane does not require a super pilot, but it does require training, learning new skills, and a refinement of normal flight skills. We will examine those skills as well as some exercises for developing them, and discuss common mistakes. The tricycle-gear pilot relaxes at touchdown, whereas touchdown starts the high-workload phase of a tailwheel landing. Tailwheel flying is seat-of-the-pants flying that demands significant muscle memory rather than book knowledge. Per the FAA, a tailwheel endorsement involves proficiency with three-point and wheel takeoffs and landings, with crosswinds, and with go-arounds. In practical terms, a student needs to learn how to taxi and how to recover from bounced landings, and has earned the endorsement when the instructor is no longer scared during landings.
contact John Lorenz (505) 231-6235, johnlorenz@geoflight.net