An Aviator’s Field Guide to Tailwheel Flying

The authoritative tailwheel flight training manual for every pilot titled Tailwheel Flying Field Guide is an essential technical handbook. It was written by experienced flight instructor and FAA designated examiner Jason Blair. Published by Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc. (ASA) under part code ASA-TAILDRAG, the work originally debuted in 2018 with ongoing series revisions. It carries standard catalog references ISBN-13 978-1-61954-589-2 and ISBN-10 1619545896. This book delivers practical stick-and-rudder knowledge across the sporting aviation industry.

The curriculum compiles years of personal instructional notes shared with flight students on the ramp. It walks aviators through each critical phase of conventional landing gear operations, providing advice rarely covered in generic training textbooks. The text examines performance variances between different aircraft makes, airframe ages, and models. It also evaluates how structural modifications alter behavior on the ramp and in active flight. Furthermore, Blair outlines clear criteria for selecting a qualified mentor. The lessons explain the physics behind tailwheel airplanes, teaching precise rudder and brake inputs to manage crosswinds and avoid ground loops. This training strengthens situational judgment in low-level air navigation and builds superior handling discipline for civil air transport. You can discover more foundational training handbooks in our online store under the aviation introduction textbooks and advanced piloting manuals for the pilot section.

This handbook serves both experienced taildragger aviators flying Piper Cubs, Cessna 180s, Champs, or Maules, and pilots transitioning from tricycle-gear planes. Through realistic advice and hangar wisdom, every flight student and commercial airline pilot recognizes yaw divergence, corrects directional rollouts, and honors the foundational traditions of classic aeronautics.

The publication contains between 83 and 96 pages depending on the print run. It features a compact format measuring 5.25 x 8.25 inches (~13.3 x 21 cm), bound in a flexible paperback softcover. Written entirely in technical aviation English, it stands as an indispensable reference handbook for flying clubs, taildragger owners, and enthusiasts of vintage aviation.

Features of Tailwheel Flying Field Guide

• 📖 Full Title: An Aviator's Field Guide to Tailwheel Flying: Practical Skills and Tips for Flying Tailwheel Aircraft
• ✍️ Author: Jason Blair (Flight instructor and FAA designated pilot examiner)
• 🏛️ Publisher: Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc. (ASA)
• 🔢 Standard Identifiers: ISBN-13: 978-1-61954-589-2 | ISBN-10: 1619545896
• 🏷️ ASA Product Code: ASA-TAILDRAG
• 📅 Original Publication: 2018 (with updated ASA series reprints)
• 📄 Extent: Between 83 and 96 pages (depending on edition)
• 📐 Physical Dimensions: Compact size (5.25 × 8.25 inches / ~13.3 × 21 cm)
• 🛡️ Binding Style: Paperback (Softcover format)
• 🛩️ Featured Airframes: Piper Cub, Cessna 180, Aeronca Champ, and Maule
• 🌍 Language: English (international aviation standard)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is the intended audience for this tailwheel field guide?

It is written for tricycle-gear pilots transitioning to conventional gear and every seasoned pilot flying vintage aircraft in general aviation.

What critical ground safety hazard does this guide teach pilots to prevent?

It teaches precise rudder authority and brake coordination to manage crosswinds and avoid dangerous ground loops during takeoff and landing in flight.