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Some of the many tail wheel aeroplanes available to fly Piper Cub (left) and a WW 1 SE5A fighter (right) |
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No flight test or written examination at the end of the course |
Chipmunk, excellent for tail wheel training |
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An iconic WW 2 fighter the Hawker Hurricane (right) |
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General
Training are avialble to EASA and UK licence holders
A pilot wishing to fly a tail wheel aeroplane is required to complete Differences Training to the satisfaction of an appropriately qualified instructor. The type and content of the Differences Training is given in UK CAA CAP804, Part 1, Section 4, Part H, Subpart 1, Paragraph 4.3 CAP804 extract
If the pilot holds both an EASA and UK pilot licence then the instructor conducting the differences training must be dual qualified i.e. hold an EASA and UK licence with instructor certificate or a UK licence with instructor certificate and a FCL.900(c) issued by an EASA member state for the differences training to be valid in both EASA and UK registered aeroplanes
Note: FCL.900(c) can only be used to instruct outside the EASA member states
Regulations
FCL.710 Class and type ratings - variants
(a) Pilots shall complete differences training or familiarisation in order to extend their privileges to another variant of aircraft within one class or type rating
(b) The differences training shall be conducted at any of the following:
(1) an ATO
(2) a DTO in the case of aircraft referred to in points (a)(1)(c) and (a)(2)(c) of point DTO.GEN.110 of Aircrew Regulation Annex VIII
(3) an AOC holder having an approved differences training programme for the relevant class or type
(c) Notwithstanding the requirement in point (b), differences training for TMG, single-engine piston (SEP), single-engine turbine (SET) and multi-engine piston (MEP) aeroplanes may be conducted by an appropriately qualified instructor unless otherwise provided in the OSD
Note: 'OSD' means the Operational Suitability Data established in accordance with Regulation 748/2012, Annex I - Part-21
GM1 FCL.710 Class and type ratings – variants
DIFFERENCES AND FAMILIARISATION TRAINING
(a) Differences training requires the acquisition of additional knowledge and training on an appropriate training device or the aircraft
(b) Familiarisation training requires the acquisition of additional knowledge
Pre-Course Entry Requirements
Before beginning a course of training the applicant shall hold a:
(a) NPPL(A), LAPL(A), PPL(A), CPL(A) or ATPL(A)
(b) SEP (land) Class Rating or SSEA (as applicable)
(c) Medical Certificate (as applicable)
Ground Training (AMC1 FCL.725(a))
The following hours requirement is only a guide and the actual amount of training will very for each individual pilot. The ground training consists of 2 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction on subjects associated with tail wheel operations including:
Physical differences
Loading and Effect of CG Position
Dynamic differences and handling during:
# Ground handling
# Starting and taxiing
# Taking-off
# Engine failure during take-off
# Landings including 2-point “wheelers” and 3-point landings
# Crosswind operations
# Parking and mooring
# Detailed listing for aeroplane structure and equipment, normal operation of systems and malfunctions
# Limitations
# Performance, flight planning and monitoring
# Load and balance and servicing
# Emergency procedures
# Special requirements for ‘glass cockpit’ aeroplanes with EFIS (as applicable)
Flying Training (See references)
The following hours requirement is only a guide and the actual amount of training will very for each individual pilot. The flight training consists of a 5 hours of dual instruction covering the following:
# Dynamic differences and handling during
# Ground handling
# Starting and taxying
# Taking-off
# Engine failure during take-off
# Landings including 2-point “Wheelers” and 3-point landings (as applicable to type)
# Crosswind operations
#
Parking and mooring
Skill Test
There is no formal skill test on completion of the course of training
The differences training shall be entered in the pilot’s logbook or equivalent record and endorsed by the instructor conducting the training. The endorsement should include:
# Type of differences training given e.g. Tail wheel differences
# Signature of the instructor
# Name of the instructor
# Licence number of the instructor
Privileges
The privileges of a licence holder with and SEP class rating who has under gone tail wheel differences training is to act as pilot on a tail wheel aeroplane within the SEP class rating
Validity / Revalidation / Renewal
Differences training in aeroplanes within the SEP class rating is valid indefinitely. If a type, or variant of a type, within the SEP class rating, has not been flown for some time, pilots must use their judgement to decide if refresher training is warranted. However, it is recommended that such re-training be undertaken when the lay-off is more than two years
References
CAP804, Part 1, Section 4, Part H, Subpart 1, Paragraph 4.3
Part FCL, AMC and GM
The Complete Taildragger Pilot by Harvey S Plourde
Royal Air Force Manual Flying (AP3456) Principles of Flight (Volume 1)