If you've flown nosewheel airplanes and want to learn the stick-and-rudder skills that tailwheel flying demands, a tailwheel endorsement is the next step. Lowcountry Flight Company offers tailwheel training at Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport (KTBR) in Statesboro, Georgia. Located just outside Savannah, we're a practical option for pilots across Southeast Georgia and the Lowcountry.
This guide covers what the endorsement is, what to look for in training, and how our tailwheel package works.
What a tailwheel endorsement is (and isn't)
A tailwheel endorsement is a one-time logbook signoff from a flight instructor. It says you've received training and been found proficient in normal and crosswind takeoffs and landings, wheel landings (unless the manufacturer recommends against them), and go-around procedures in a tailwheel airplane. It's required before you can act as pilot in command of a tailwheel airplane.
A few things to keep in mind:
- It's proficiency-based, not hours-based. The FAA doesn't set a minimum number of training hours. Your instructor signs your logbook when you can fly the required maneuvers consistently and safely.
- It's not passenger currency. To carry passengers, you still need three takeoffs and landings to a full stop in a tailwheel airplane within the preceding 90 days.
- It doesn't make you proficient in every tailwheel airplane. Each type handles differently. If you plan to fly a specific airplane later, you'll need transition training in that airplane too.
What to look for in tailwheel training
Before you choose where to train, ask these questions:
- Is the training focused on the required skills? You should get plenty of practice with takeoffs, landings, crosswind handling, wheel landings, and go-arounds, not just pattern laps.
- How are weather days handled? Tailwheel training depends heavily on wind. Ask what happens when a lesson is cancelled or a skill needs more work.
- Can you come back for more practice? The endorsement is just the beginning. Choose somewhere you can return to stay sharp.
- Will you get clear feedback? You should understand what you're working on and what "proficient" looks like before your instructor signs you off.
- What happens after the endorsement? Think about where you'll actually fly tailwheel once you have it.
Tailwheel training at Lowcountry Flight Company
Our tailwheel program is built around one airplane: N787RH. Every tailwheel lesson is flown in it, so you learn on a consistent aircraft from start to finish.
Tailwheel package: $1,500 (before tax). The package includes 6 hours in the airplane with an instructor, all flown in N787RH.
Who it's for
- Private pilots (or higher) who want to add a tailwheel endorsement
- Pilots planning to fly backcountry, vintage, or other conventional-gear airplanes
- Pilots who want to sharpen their rudder and landing skills, even if they mostly fly nosewheel airplanes
To start the tailwheel package, you need at least a Private Pilot License. Student pilots aren't eligible for tailwheel training with us.
What training focuses on
- Ground handling and taxiing a tailwheel airplane
- Normal and crosswind takeoffs and landings
- Three-point and wheel landings
- Go-arounds and recovering from a bounced landing
- Directional control and staying ahead of the airplane on the runway
Your instructor will sign your endorsement when you can fly these maneuvers consistently. Some pilots need more practice than others, and that's normal.
Why train at KTBR?
Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport is an uncontrolled field with less congestion than larger airports near Savannah, so you can spend more of your lesson time flying the pattern.
We have students who travel from all over to train with us.
Concentrated training trip or recurring lessons?
There are two common ways to structure tailwheel training:
Recurring local lessons. You fly a lesson, go home, then come back for the next one. This gives you time to think about each flight between sessions and works well if you live nearby.
A focused block of training. You set aside several days in a row to train. This builds momentum, but weather can delay you, so leave room in your schedule for extra days.
We tailor tailwheel training to fit your schedule. Sometimes it can be done in a day, and sometimes it takes a couple of days. Evening and weekend lessons are available.
After your endorsement
A signed endorsement is a beginning, not an end. To keep your skills sharp:
- Fly tailwheel regularly. These skills fade faster than most.
- Keep your 90-day passenger currency if you plan to carry passengers.
- Get transition training before flying a different tailwheel type.
- Fly with an instructor again if you've been away for a while.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a tailwheel endorsement? There's no FAA minimum. It depends on your experience, the weather, and how often you fly. Your instructor will sign you off when you're proficient, not when you hit a set number of hours.
How much does tailwheel training cost at Lowcountry Flight Company? Our tailwheel package is $1,500 before tax and includes 6 hours in the airplane with an instructor in N787RH.
What airplane will I fly? All tailwheel training is flown in N787RH.
Do I need a pilot certificate first? Yes. You need at least a Private Pilot License to start our tailwheel package. We don't offer tailwheel training to student pilots.
Where are you located? We're located just outside Savannah, at Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport (KTBR) in Statesboro, Georgia.
Ready to fly tailwheel?
Back-country in the Lowcountry starts with three-point landings. Contact us to ask about the tailwheel package and scheduling.
New to flying? Start with a $125 Discovery Flight.
