Lesson 1 - Ground Ground lesson on the theory, physics, mechanics, aerodynamics, and techniques specific to tailwheel aircraft. Why they re different: aircraft CG behind the main landing gear (compare to nosewheel!) How they re different: o Bad: stability, groundloop, visibility, poor brakes, spongy steering, built-in AOA, little tailwheel o Good: prop clearance, weight, drag, mechanical simplicity, builds skill level, panache, and fun When they re different: only on the ground Physics of groundloops and bounced landings Operating techniques o Elevator position during taxi o 3 point vs wheel landing o Taxi slowly o Crosswind landings (get the nose straight, THEN correct for drift, if any) Brief zig-zag taxi drills and low approaches KAPA operations, cockpit layout, constant-speed prop Demo pre-flight inspection Xtreme Decathlon POH Centennial Airport airfield diagram Ground: 2.5 hrs Student is able to explain: how a tailwheel airplane differs from a nosewheel equivalent advantages and disadvantages of tailwheel airplanes effect of CG location on directional control causes and corrective actions for groundloops and bounced landings crosswind takeoff, landing, and taxi technique importance of elevator position on steering authority during taxi KAPA airport considerations (including wake turbulence & jet blast) how to pre-flight a Decathlon misunderstanding of basic aerodynamics or physics crosswind correction starts with bank into the wind improper CS prop knowledge belief that an eventual groundloop is inevitable ( those who have & those who will ) Page 1
Lesson 2 Taxi Drills & Basic Airwork Decathlon intro, taxi drills, takeoff, airwork, demo landing. (note: recommend instructor handle radio work during this lesson) Supervised preflight, cockpit familiarization, & seat position setup Obtain ATIS and clearance Engine start Zig-zag taxi drills Instructor demos a low-speed groundloop Runup Takeoff Slow flight, steep turns, power on & power off stalls, slips Instructor demos 3-point landing Taxi drills on the way back to the ramp Xtreme Decathlon POH and aircraft checklist Denver Terminal Area chart Centennial Airport airfield diagram explain KAPA operating considerations, airfield layout, runup areas maintain altitude, airspeed, and heading during airwork per applicable PTS standards demonstrate comfort during mild maneuvering at high angles of attack perform zig-zag drills with a high-degree of control over the aircraft control the aircraft s flight path while in a slip insufficient control input to stop a swerve no crosswind correction applied while taxiing stick not held all the way back during taxi apprehension with high angles of attack failure to adhere to PTS standards during airwork responds to wing drop with aileron rather than rudder insufficient or excessive pitch input during recovery Page 2
Lesson 3 Low Approaches Traffic pattern and low approaches; review taxi drill and introduce the 3-point landing. Review zig-zag taxi drill Pattern work Slips Low approaches Crosswind drills Introduce three-point landing Xtreme Decathlon POH and aircraft checklist Centennial Airport airfield diagram fly the KAPA pattern at the recommended airspeed and altitude (RWY 17R) approach the runway with proper airspeed and appropriate glidepath see and correct improper glidepath using throttle and/or slips roundout low to the runway and control altitude thereafter during low approach correct for crosswind by first straightening the nose and THEN banking into the wind excessive airspeed on downwind poor altitude control in the pattern student does not use pitch trim pattern too wide or too large groundtrack not parallel to runway on downwind leg difficulty maintaining proper glidepath high roundout aircraft allowed to drift from centerline longitudinal axis not parallel to runway centerline Page 3
Lesson 4 Three-Point Landings Focus on three-point landings; proper correction for bounces, skips, etc. Review traffic pattern Three-point landings (full stop or stop-and-go are initially preferred) Swerves, skips, and bounce recoveries When to go around Introduce roll-up from a three-point landing Xtreme Decathlon POH and aircraft checklist fly unassisted three-point landings correct appropriately for bounces, swerves, or skips sees and fixes any glidepath or airspeed deviations without instructor input rounds out low with the nose straight touches down in a three-point (or slightly tailwheel-first) attitude on the runway centerline maintains directional control after landing applies and maintains full back stick after touch down poor directional control during takeoff mains touch first, aircraft bounces crosswind not properly countered aircraft drifting during touchdown insufficient correction for swerves after landing stick not held fully aft once on the ground poor decision making about when to go-around Page 4
Lesson 5 Wheel Landings Wheel landings, roll-ups, go-arounds, and knowing when to use them. Ground review of: o Advantages and disadvantages of wheel landings o Wheel landing technique: Slow flight 1ft over the R, then descent slowly. At t/d, forward stick, power off. Three-point landing with a roll-up onto the mains Wheel landings Swerves, skips, and bounce recoveries When to go around Decathlon POH and aircraft checklist perform a wheel landings correct appropriately for bounces, swerves goes around when appropriate rounds out low with the nose straight maintains directional control after landing lowers the tail gently as the aircraft slows poor airspeed control roundout too high rate of descent too high at touchdown, aircraft bounces student anticipates MLG touchdown rather than reacts to it poor directional control during transition to three-point attitude insufficient correction for swerves after landing poor decision making about when to go-around off-centerline landing Page 5
Lesson 6 Final Review Review of 3-point and wheel landings, crosswinds, etc. Endorsement provided only if satisfactory. Review three-point landings Review roll-ups Review wheel landings Instructor-induced selection of swerves, skips, and bounces Wake turbulence and jet blast avoidance Tailwheel endorsement (not guaranteed) and final debriefing Decathlon POH and aircraft checklist fly safe, unassisted three-point and wheel landings with the successful outcome of the landings never seriously in doubt correct appropriately for bounces, swerves, or skips shows good judgment with regard to wake turbulence, jet blast, and going-around applies crosswind correction as needed on the ground and while landing touches down in a three-point (or slightly tailwheel-first) attitude on the runway centerline maintains directional control after landing maintains full back stick after landing and while taxiing poor directional control during takeoff or landing mains touch first, aircraft bounces crosswind not properly countered aircraft drifting during touchdown insufficient correction for swerves after landing stick not held fully aft once on the ground poor decision making about when to go-around Page 6