TAILWHEELS TO TURBINES

Real tailwheel training that won't leave you in a loop

TAILWHEELS TO TURBINES

Real tailwheel training that won't leave you in a loop

Why should you learn to fly Tailwheel

Stick & Rudder skills

Tailwheel flying improves stick-and-rudder fundamentals that transfer directly to all aircraft.

Tailwheel aircraft generally provide more direct aerodynamic feedback and less forgiving handling characteristics during takeoff and landing. NASA and FAA loss-of-control research repeatedly identifies poor energy management and inadequate rudder coordination as major contributors to general aviation accidents.

Tailwheel training exposes pilots to these fundamentals earlier and more aggressively, improving control precision, crosswind technique, and aircraft feel.

Exposure to varied and realistic operating environments

Many aircraft used in bush flying, backcountry operations, agricultural aviation, glider towing, vintage aircraft operations, and STOL competition use conventional landing gear because it performs better on rough, soft, or unimproved surfaces.

Tailwheel configurations reduce propeller strike risk and often allow larger propeller diameters and shorter-field capability. Learning tailwheel expands operational understanding beyond long paved runways and standardized airport environments.

Improve attention, discipline, and workload management.

A tailwheel airplane typically cannot be “passively” flown during taxi, takeoff, or landing. Small deviations compound quickly. This forces continuous situational awareness and active control input.

FAA accident analyses consistently show runway excursions and loss of directional control remain among the most common general aviation accident categories. Tailwheel training conditions pilots to stay mentally ahead of the airplane during the highest-risk phases of flight.

5x MASTER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR

Doug Auclair 5x Master Flight Instructor

A five-time Master Certified Flight Instructor and multi-time AOPA award-winning instructor, and award-winning STOL competitor, Doug’s instruction philosophy is grounded in discipline, exposure, repetition, and accountability. He has logged over 9,000 hours of dual given across more than 100 makes and models, developing a reputation for producing highly capable, safety-focused pilots.

He is the owner of Air Ventures Flying School and Newport Aviation in Rhode Island, where his work centers on structured, performance-driven training designed to build competence rather than push volume-based certification. His approach emphasizes decision-making, consistency, and long-term pilot development in an industry with historically high attrition.

For two decades tailwheel flying his passion. Trained by tailwheel legend Capt. Paul Santopietro - He treats it as a foundational discipline that reinforces stick-and-rudder precision, energy management, and timely pilot judgment skills that transfer directly to all levels of operation and are increasingly absent from modern training environments.

Available Tailwheel Training

Introduction to Tailwheel Flying

Come get a taste of what flying a conventional gear aircraft is all about! You will learn ground control, managing adverse yaw, Dutch rolls, stall characteristics, and how to do a 3 point landing.

This course includes 1 hour of ground and 1 hour of flight.

$525.00

Tailwheel Endorsement

Introduction to Tailwheel Flying

Earn your Tailwheel Endorsement in as little as 2 days!

This course consists of 10 hours of flight training, 7 hours of ground school.

*Piloting skill can vary, this is not a guaranteed sign off course - it is performance dependent.

I recommend that you are proficient in coordinated flight, slow flight, and stalls prior start of training.

$4500.00*

Spin Training

Introduction to Tailwheel Flying

Tailwheel Immersion Package

Required for aspiring CFIs - recommended for everyone!

In this course you will learn all of the aerodynamics of a spin, how to identify an incoming spin, and how to recover from incipient and developed spins in both directions.

This course incudes 2 hours of ground and 1 hour of flight and parachute rental.

You do not need a tailwheel endorsement to complete this course.

$625.00

Tailwheel Immersion Package

Aircraft Acquisition Assistance

Tailwheel Immersion Package

Spend 2 days flying into all five New England states experiencing a variety of unique environments while building both Cross Country and Tailwheel time.

This course includes 10 hours of Cross Country flight time, and 10 hours of ground instruction, and lunch.

This course does not require a tailwheel endorsement, and will typically not meet the repetition time to earn an endorsement - though on occasion students may qualify.

$5250.00

Tailwheel by the hour

Aircraft Acquisition Assistance

Come scratch that tailwheel flying itch!

$400.00/hr wet / dual only

Aircraft Acquisition Assistance

After you complete your training you will need to buy yourself a nice tailwheel airplane.

I have helped hundreds of students locate and acquire wonderful aircraft saving them from aircraft that could quickly turn into money pits.

I can help with every part of the process, from finding the right airplane, planning for aircraft ownership and storage, prebuy inspections, pickup and delivery.

Contact me today for pricing.

Important Training Information

All tailwheel training is completed at KSFZ in my Citabria unless otherwise arranged.*

*Travel and lodging costs will be added to any arranged offsite training.

**Due to increasing fuel costs a fuel surcharge may be added to all training.

Required reading - The Compleat Taildragger Pilot by Harvey Plourde prior to any training.

There will be a test.

Buy the book here

Book your training today

Air Ventures Flying School

300 Jenckes Hill Road, Smithfield, RI, USA

AIR MAIL

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*Tailwheel endorsement training can run over the prepaid courses - any time after 10 hours is paid by the hour at current hourly rates.

Aviate. Navigate. Communicate.

TAILWHEELS TO TURBINES

TAILWHEELS TO TURBINES

Why should you learn to fly Tailwheel

Stick & Rudder skills

Exposure to varied and realistic operating environments

Improve attention, discipline, and workload management.

5x MASTER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR

Available Tailwheel Training

Introduction to Tailwheel Flying

Introduction to Tailwheel Flying

Introduction to Tailwheel Flying

Tailwheel Endorsement

Introduction to Tailwheel Flying

Introduction to Tailwheel Flying

Spin Training

Introduction to Tailwheel Flying

Tailwheel Immersion Package

Tailwheel Immersion Package

Aircraft Acquisition Assistance

Tailwheel Immersion Package

Tailwheel by the hour

Aircraft Acquisition Assistance

Aircraft Acquisition Assistance

Aircraft Acquisition Assistance

Aircraft Acquisition Assistance

Aircraft Acquisition Assistance

Important Training Information

Important Training Information

Important Training Information

Book your training today

Currently booking June 2026

Air Ventures Flying School

AIR MAIL

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