TAILWHEEL
ENDORSEMENT TRAINING
Learn to fly a taildragger well, not just well enough to get signed off.
A tailwheel airplane asks more of your feet and your attention than the airplanes most of us learned in. That’s a big part of the appeal. It’s also why a quick checkout can leave a pilot uneasy on every landing afterward.
Our job is to get you comfortable and safe in a tailwheel airplane, so the endorsement means something when you fly away.
As featured in
Basic Tailwheel Endorsement and Refresher Course
The Basic Tailwheel Endorsement Course is the starting point for pilots looking to gain or refresh their tailwheel skills. Across 2.5 days, you’ll work one-on-one with your instructor through ground lessons, tailwheel simulator time and 6 flights in the PA-18 Super Cub. With individualized instruction and a plane reserved solely for your training, you’ll get focused, uninterrupted training. From foundational concepts to hands-on flying, this course develops the understanding and assurance needed to operate tailwheel aircraft safely and with precision. Course fee starts at $5,500.
How it works
- Tell us about your flying.
Use our contact form. An instructor calls to answer questions and look at dates. - Spend 2.5 days with us in Fredericksburg.
One instructor, one Super Cub, and you. - Leave with your endorsement.
And with the habits to keep flying tailwheel safely on your own.
What's included
- 6 flights in a PA-18 Super Cub. Most run about an hour.
- Ground lessons, plus time in our tailwheel simulator
- Grass and paved runways
- The airplane is reserved for you for the whole course
- Course fee: $5,500
What you'll practice
- Three-point and wheel landings, on grass and on pavement
- Crosswind takeoffs and landings, when the wind cooperates
- Go-arounds and aborted takeoffs
- The rudder and coordination work that ties it all together
Your instructor shows you each one before asking you to fly it. If the weather or your progress calls for a change, we change the plan.
How to get a tailwheel endorsement
The FAA requires a one-time logbook endorsement before you can act as pilot in command of a tailwheel airplane (14 CFR 61.31(i)). An instructor signs it once you've shown you can handle:
- Normal and crosswind takeoffs and landings
- Wheel landings, unless the manufacturer recommends against them
- Go-arounds
There's no minimum number of hours. Most pilots need 5–8 hours of instruction. It depends on how quickly your feet catch on, not on how much you've flown before. If you logged pilot-in-command time in a tailwheel airplane before April 15, 1991, you don't need the endorsement.
Is this course a fit?
It's a good fit if you:
- Want your first tailwheel endorsement
- Already have one, but haven't flown a taildragger in a while
- Plan to fly into grass and dirt strips next (see our Advanced Backcountry Course)
You'll need a pilot certificate (sport pilot or higher), a current medical or BasicMed (a driver's license for sport pilots), a current flight review (BFR), and your logbook. No tailwheel time is required.
Why train with us
We've trained thousands of pilots to fly tailwheel airplanes, and our training has been featured in FLYING, AOPA Pilot, Plane & Pilot and KitPlanes. We're also a factory-certified CubCrafters training location, and federal agencies send their pilots to us. Every instructor teaches the same way, so each flight builds on the one before it.
Getting here
We're at Gillespie County Airport (T82) in Fredericksburg, about 90 minutes from Austin and 75 minutes from San Antonio. The weather here supports flying all year.
Doors open at 8:00 a.m., and we brief at 8:30. Fredericksburg has plenty of hotels and rentals, and we're glad to suggest a few.
Tailwheel endorsement FAQ
How much does a tailwheel endorsement cost at TacAero?
The Basic Tailwheel Endorsement course starts at $5,500. That covers 2.5 days of one-on-one instruction: ground lessons, tailwheel simulator time and 6 flights in a PA-18 Super Cub, with an aircraft reserved for your training. Most flights last about an hour.
How many hours does a tailwheel endorsement take?
The FAA sets no minimum number of hours. Your instructor signs the endorsement once you can fly normal and crosswind takeoffs and landings, wheel landings and go-arounds to standard. Our course builds that in 6 flights. Most flights last about an hour.
How long is the course?
Two and a half days. Training days start at our hangar with doors open at 8:00 am and the briefing at 8:30 am. Most pilots book 4–6 weeks ahead.
Where is the training?
At Gillespie County Airport (T82) in Fredericksburg, Texas, in the Hill Country about 90 minutes from Austin and 75 minutes from San Antonio. Flying weather here is good year-round.
I already have an endorsement. Can I take it as a refresher?
Yes. The same course works as a refresher for pilots who want to sharpen their tailwheel skills.
Do I need any tailwheel time before I start?
No. If you can fly a nosewheel airplane, you're ready.
Will I fly on grass?
Yes. Most flights include grass, and you'll also fly on pavement.
What happens if the weather is bad?
We don't cancel because of a forecast. We show up planning to fly, and we usually find good weather within your training dates. If weather keeps you from finishing, we'll work with you on the flights that are left.
Can I do backcountry training on the same trip?
Yes. Plenty of pilots take the Advanced Backcountry Course right after. Ask us about scheduling both.
Questions about booking, deposits or weather? See our FAQ page.
GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY PILOTS
TacAero is a trusted training provider for U.S. government agencies, with proven experience supporting operations for the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of the Interior (DOI), and other federal entities. Our partnerships with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and various government departments demonstrate our ability to deliver mission-focused, specialized flight training.
We offer flexible programs tailored to the specific needs of agency pilots and flight departments. Whether it’s a custom course for an individual or coordinated training across multiple aircraft and crews, our experienced instructors and versatile fleet enable scalable, high-capacity training solutions. TacAero is fully equipped to run multiple concurrent sessions, making us an ideal partner for military units, agency operations, and government contractors.
