Where to get a tailwheel rating?

[kscessnadriver]

As a young pilot, roughly 1000 hours, 400 or so fixed wing, I'm looking to add on the tailwheel endorsement, so hopefully one day I could get into flying more of the historic aircraft. I'm looking for a good place to go do it. I'd rather not do a quickie type place, 5 hours and get the sign off just so they get your money. I'm not real current in airplanes at this time, but have been flying an average of 60 hours a month for the last 6 months or so.

Any suggestions on where to go and who to use? Airplanes to avoid or airplanes best suited to do training?

[JimH]

Weltzien Skypark in Wadsworth Ohio offers a Cessna 140 for about 100bucks an hour with instructor...or they used to. The 140 is a fun airplane and will teach you how to use your feet. All the training is done on a 2500' x 30' concrete strip and almost always has a crosswind. I flew it about 15 hours before I had to go back to work. At the time you needed 25 hours to qualify for the insurance. It was not a gimme endorsement...that little airplane makes you work for it.

jim

[RyanShort1]

Whatever you do, don't just go for the cheapest option. A 3 hour wonder endorsement without decent crosswind training may not really meet the FAA requirements... Some of those guys end up needing more training later.

Ryan

[bipe215]

How things have changed! When I was in college (late 70's), I shot six landings with a friend in a Cessna 140, ranging from wild, up on one wheel screechers, to almost straight rollouts. I was proclaimed ready, and climbed into my dad's Fly Baby (single seat). So my taildragger solo was in an aircraft I had never flown.

Steve

[kscessnadriver]

Thanks for the advice guys.