Taildragger Training

[JustinD]

I am living in Calgary at the moment and I am wondering if anyone one knows any where I can get checked-out on a taildragger.

[shamrock104]

The nearest may be Namao Flying Club, don't believe there is anything in the Calgary area.

[jamesel]

Prairie Bible College in Three HIlls might be worth contacting:
aviation@prairie.edu or call 403-443-2349 during office hours

[CpnCrunch]

Try Wayne Winters @ Blue Yonder. http://www.ezflyer.com/

[Shiny Side Up]

JustinD check your PMs.

[SkiPilot]

Exactly the same question for exactly the same area.....

I'm looking to build some taildwheel time on something like a Decathlon/ Citabria/ Cub but none of the clubs in the Calgary area have a taildragger for rent or even anyone who could do a tailwheel checkout. I know there's less commercial demand for tailwheel pilots these days but I would have though there would still be enough from recreational flyers, so I find the lack of available training surprising.

Does anyone know of anything suitable? I'm happy to rent, lease or even buy a share if needed. Thanks!

[Cat Driver]

When Iflyforpie gets the Cub finished he will be offering tail wheel training on it.

[SkiPilot]

When Iflyforpie gets the Cub finished he will be offering tail wheel training on it.

Thanks for the info! Any idea when that might happen? And where?

[Cat Driver]

He lives and works in Invemere B.C. and hopefully will get it finished this year.

When he starts offering training I may buy a Cub and do the same in Nanaimo, for sure there is a market and the Cub is perfect for that type of training.

[Posthumane]

Wayne Winters at Blue Yonder Aviation is the closest, which would be on the Merlin EZ ultralight. I've done about 13 hours of Ab Initio there before moving away and switching to PPL trianing on 172s. I found that while Wayne is very personable, the instruction is somewhat lacking.

Jym Hrymack does aerobatic and tailwheel training out of Bassano, AB which isn't too far. His website shows the Harvard, but I was under the impression that he also has a Citabria.

There is talk of Super T Aviation in Medicine Hat getting something along the lines of a Citabria/Champ for tailwheel and upset recovery training, but it hasn't happened yet.

[Cat Driver]

Why is there so little interest in flying tail wheel airplanes?

[Strega]

Good question...

[Cat Driver]

Lets start a new thread and ask the question....in general.

[SkiPilot]

Thank you to everyone who provided information or got in touch via PM. I'm currently following up all your leads.

I too think it's strange (& sad!) how little tailwheel instruction seems to be available these days - it opens up opportunities to fly far more interesting & historic aircraft than your average C152/ Piper/ Cirrus. And it makes you a much better pilot in the process.

[pianokeys]

I know its digging up an old thread, but Calgary Flying Club just got a Citabria, maintenance plans are being approved and it should be online shortly.

[pelmet]

Can we get an idea of where else in Canada you can get some instruction with types available.

[tonyhunt]

Rockcliffe Flying Club @ CYRO. We have the Cessna 170B for basic tailwheel and the Super Decathlon for tailwheel aerobatic instruction. You can even do your RPP or PPL in the C-170. Both aircraft are available for short or longer term rentals too.

Our biggest problem has been growing and keeping full-time instructors for tailwheel. We have a small core of experienced tailwheel guys but most of us are only available on weekends.

[NBGeo]

Can we get an idea of where else in Canada you can get some instruction with types available.

For New Brunswick, Grand Falls Aviation will do it on a 150 conversion but won't rent to you solo (insurance). He also has an old Commonwealth Skyranger (personal plane) which is pretty neat.

For Ontario, 3 Point Aviator out of Waterloo (formerly Guelph) does tailwheel training as well. They have a Citabria and Decathlon.