FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA)RegulationsHard
A sport pilot has only ever flown airplanes with nosewheel landing gear and wants to act as pilot in command of a light-sport airplane equipped with a tailwheel. What must the pilot first obtain?
- AGround and flight training in a tailwheel airplane and a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor
- BNothing additional, since tailwheel airplanes are operated identically to nosewheel airplanes
- CA category and class rating addition through an FAA practical test
- DAn additional 10 hours of solo cross-country time logged in any airplane
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Ground and flight training in a tailwheel airplane and a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor
14 CFR 61.31(i) requires that no person may act as pilot in command of a tailwheel airplane unless they have received and logged flight training from an authorized instructor and have a logbook endorsement certifying proficiency in tailwheel operations.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Tailwheel airplanes have distinctly different ground handling characteristics requiring specific training.
- C. Tailwheel privileges require an endorsement, not a full category/class practical test.
- D. Cross-country time has no bearing on tailwheel qualification.
Tailwheel Endorsement (61.31(i))
A logbook endorsement required before acting as PIC of a tailwheel airplane, certifying training in tailwheel-specific skills.
- Requires training in normal/crosswind takeoffs and landings, wheel landings, and go-arounds
- Endorsement given by an authorized instructor
- No FAA practical test required
Memory trick: 'Tailwheels need training tails before you fly them solo.'