What is required of the pilot regarding landings for currency if flying a tail dragger?

What is required of the pilot regarding landings for currency if flying a tail dragger?

• A. All landings must be touch and go
• B. All landings must be full stop
• C. Only night landings need to be full stop
• D. Only day landings need to be full stop

Answer: (B)

For pilots operating a tailwheel aircraft, the requirement is that all landings must be full stop. This stipulation is in place primarily due to the unique handling characteristics of tail draggers, which can be more challenging to manage during landings and takeoffs compared to tricycle gear aircraft. Full stop landings ensure that pilots gain the necessary experience and proficiency in managing these aircraft, particularly in how to safely handle the plane during deceleration on the ground and while maneuvering to a safe taxiing position. Touch-and-go landings, while valuable for practice, do not provide the same level of situational awareness and experience regarding ground handling challenges that tailwheel aircraft present. The other options suggest conditions that do not reflect the requirement for tailwheel currency. Touch-and-go landings may not adequately prepare a pilot for the complexities of ground operations in a tail dragger, thereby emphasizing the importance of full stop landings to maintain currency and ensure safety.

For pilots operating a tailwheel aircraft, the requirement is that all landings must be full stop. This stipulation is in place primarily due to the unique handling characteristics of tail draggers, which can be more challenging to manage during landings and takeoffs compared to tricycle gear aircraft.

Full stop landings ensure that pilots gain the necessary experience and proficiency in managing these aircraft, particularly in how to safely handle the plane during deceleration on the ground and while maneuvering to a safe taxiing position. Touch-and-go landings, while valuable for practice, do not provide the same level of situational awareness and experience regarding ground handling challenges that tailwheel aircraft present.

The other options suggest conditions that do not reflect the requirement for tailwheel currency. Touch-and-go landings may not adequately prepare a pilot for the complexities of ground operations in a tail dragger, thereby emphasizing the importance of full stop landings to maintain currency and ensure safety.