Welcome to tailwheel flying!

To say that I’m passionate about tailwheel is probably an understatement! I’m a tailwheel evangelist! Tailwheel will teach you stick and rudder skills you didn’t even know you needed. You’ll learn what that “flippy thing on the back” (called a rudder) is for. OK, I’m being sarcastic but it is amazing. Your tailwheel skills will transfer to everything else you may fly.

Whether your need a tailwheel endorsement to fly that RV8, cub or Cessna 180 you just bought OR just want to explore new depths of aviation, we are right choice for you.

Because there is such a variance in skill and adaptability, we don’t do a tailwheel sylabus. Instead, tailwheel training is done in 7 phases. Students will progress thru each phases at various paces.

  • Phase One: Ground session to include tailwheel concepts and aerodynamics

  • Phase Two: Introductory flight to include taxi, takeoff, stalls, steep turns, wingover maneuver, dutch roll, falling leaf, slips and intro to 3 point landings

  • Phase Three: Flight on grass runway to introduce and build proficiency in 3 point, full stall landings

  • Phase Four: Flight on hard surface runway to perfect 3 point, full stall landings

  • Phase Five: Flight on grass runway to introduce and build proficiency in wheel landings

  • Phase Six: Flight on hard surface runway to perfect wheel landings

  • Phase Seven: Final evaluation flight and tailwheel endorsement

Note: from phase four an up, we will actively seek crosswind conditions to build skills. We will build skills to expose student to 15+ direct crosswind landings.

Cost: estimated $2000 depending on your skill level. Billed at $250/hour for dual instruction, $75/hour for ground instruction.

Get your tailwheel endorsement. Learn how to REALLY use rudders. Master crosswind landings and directional control. Typically it takes 8-10 flight hours to master this skill.

We teach full stall AND wheel landings… and you’ll get really good at crosswind landings and forward slips. Flight review is included if requested at no additional charge.

Our litmus test for check out: Can the student do consistent wheel landings on pavement in a crosswind? If so, we check ‘em out!

You do not receive the endorsement until we are fully confident in your skills.

Out of town students
3 day course

I often get request from out of town students to get tailwheel training. I usually recommend coming to Indy and get a hotel for 3 days/2 nights. We fly two sessions/day and do a concentrated course. There is a TON of resource (hotels, restaurants, shopping, movie theaters, entertainment, etc…) within just a few minutes of our airport in Noblesville.

Case example: Student came in from Marion IL and in 3 days we got thru all 7 tailwheel phases, did a spin endorsement and a flight review! Total costs was $2470 for flight hours and ground school.

Come fly with me! You won’t be disappointed.

Click here to sign up

What others say about my spin training:

Robert is an excellent instructor, passionate aviator, and all-around great guy. He's patient, knowledgeable, and truly believes in what he does. N614AC is the perfect platform to develop, refine, refresh, or enhance one's stick and rudder skills and to discover or re-invigorate one's love of flying. It has truly been a high value, deeply rewarding experience so far I look forward to continue the journey. Derek Lawless

Robert did a fantastic job instructing me on tail wheel flying. From zero experience to a tail wheel endorsement in less three days! Bronson Parrish

Robert is a bank of information. He is an amazing pilot and an even better instructor. I have completed my CFI preparation and Spin training with Robert, as well as tailwheel training! Robert’s tailwheel training has not only made me a better pilot but a more knowledgeable one as-well. Ean Schrecengost

I’ve enjoyed my introduction to tailwheel! At this time, I’m still on the path, and I hope to get close to the sign-off, soon. I appreciate the solid communication and phased approach. Looking forward to my next steps after I had to take a break. Claudia Gibson

Robert is a fantastic instructor, and this is by far the most fun I have had in the air since i started my journey three years ago. I have been trying to find some one to work with for a while now. He came highly recomended to me from a Dpe. I reached out and he got ahold of me quickly which was very nice most of the places I called would never call back. You will learn something new every time you fly with him, he is a wealth of knowledge and loves to share it. He is very easy to work with and I am a better pilot for taining with him. I highly recomend getting your tail training with Robert. Justin Strohm