THE COMPLEAT TAILDRAGGER PILOT, Harver S. Plourde

[j1b3h0]

Just got through reading (rereading, actually) Mr. Ploude’s comprehensive explaination of all things tail wheel. The book is generously illustrated with “stick” airplane drawings and well worth your time if you fly such machines, and as a tailwheel instructor, I like to consider the opinions of others in the trade. Mind you, I don’t agree with his assessment on many fronts—his insistence on wheel landing in strong crosswinds, his vehement opposition to what he calls “high speed taxiing,” and many other, mostly semantic points.
I do share his opinion on one point: Don’t even consider instructing in the type unless you are fairly experienced.

 

[wilkersk]

I like Budd Davisson's thinking on the subject: "There are no Squirrelly tailwheel airplanes, only squirrelly pilots."

 

[PeterNSteinmetz]

I appreciated his detailed analysis of what happens with turning tendencies on takeoff.