CFIing in a Tailwheel Airplane question

[Steve]

This was already posted in the training board but was hoping to get some more input from someone who's been in this position. One of my students owns a Cessna 185 i which he has almost 500 hours. He now wants to get his commercial i it. Do I need to have a Tailwheel endorsment to teach him power off 180's, lazy 8's, fly XC's, etc? He has a current medical and biennial and can act as PIC. I would just get the tailwheel endorsment myself but there are none in my area except for a Brand Husky for almost $200/hr.

 

[aucfi]

You can give all the dual instruction you want in it but none of it will count as PIC for you.

I had a similar opportunity before I had my tailwheel endorsement and passed up on it not knowing I could do it and simply not log PIC. Had a similar situation with a high perf. C-182.

 

[PC800]

...there are none in my area except for a Brand Husky for almost $200/hr.

That's a pretty outrageous rate. Come out to Arizona-- I'm flying a brand new Husky Pup out of CHD for $90/hr (block time).

 

[MauleSkinner]

For what it's worth, I had a similar conversation with a FSDO inspector, primarily because I was having difficulty finding a safety pilot qualified in tailwheel...His interpretation was that a CFII may give instrument instruction in a tailwheel airplane without a tailwheel endorsement, provided the instruction isn't given during the takeoff/landing/ground operation phases. Since takeoff and landing proficiency (all types) is required for the commercial pilot flight test, you wouldn't be able to give this instruction under his interpretation.

Also for what it's worth, you'll be sending him to an examiner who is, at the very least, comfortable in tailwheel airplanes. Since tailwheel pilots like to talk about tailwheel flying, there's a very high likelihood that he'll be asking questions about this subject that you will not have been able to prepare your student for, even if you went out and got the endorsement. Sure, someone with 500 hours in a 185 probably knows most of that stuff, but you can't verify it, and it's YOUR signature under the recommendation if he doesn't. For that reason, I personally would recommend even more experience than just an endorsement when preparing a commercial applicant in a tailwheel airplane.

I know it's not the hard-and-fast "regulatory" answer you were looking for, but I haven't been able to find anything in print other than "category and class".

Fly safe!

David

 

[flyboycpa]

I would say go ahead and do the maneuvers for the Comm PTS for your student. Probably 90% of the dual I've given has been in tailwheel aircraft. As far as teaching for the maneuvers go, it's going to fly a lot like a 182. Whether you get your tailwheel endorsement, or not, it's all good experience. Your choice.

fb

 

[Steve]

Thanks for the info guys. Can anyone else confirm that I am legal to do this training but can only log it as dual given and total, but not PIC?

 

[avbug]

Holding an endorsement for high altitude, complex, high performance, or conventional gear has never been a prerequisite for logging PIC, only for acting as PIC. So long as one is not acting as PIC, one does not need the endorsement.

14 CFR 61.183(c)(1) sets the requirement that the applicant for a flight instructor certificate hold a commercial or ATP pilot certificate with category and class ratings for the instructor privileges sought. The regulation says nothing about a requirement for a particular endorsement.

Holding an endorsement per this thread is a requirement to act as PIC. If you are not acting as PIC, you do not need this endorsement. The requirement for a conventional gear endorsement is found in 61.31(i)(1)(i), and this requirement speaks ONLY to acting as PIC. It has nothing to do with instructing, logging, acting as SIC, or looking pretty for the women. Only acting as PIC, and nothing else.

One may instruct without a current flight review, without instrument proficiency, without a medical, and without an endorsement so long as one is not acting as PIC. One may log all that time as PIC, even when current, even without the endorsement.

What regulation permits this? None. No regulation prevents it, and by the permissive nature of the language of regulation, the authorization to do this is implicit by the lack of prohibition. What that means is that you don’t need a regulation authorizing it…you don’t have one preventing it. You may instruct without the endorsement so long as you are not acting as PIC, because the regulation doesn’t require you to have an endorsement to do anything other than ACT as PIC.

You may still log the time in accordance with 61.51(e)(3), while not acting as PIC, merely be acting as an authorized instructor, all without a current medical, without a conventional gear endorsement, without a current flight review.

Don’t waste your time asking the FSDO; you won’t get consistent answers, and the replies you get are not authoritative. Read the regulation; it’s quite clear.

 

[Traumahawk]

This was already posted in the training board but was hoping to get some more input from someone who's been in this position. One of my students owns a Cessna 185 i which he has almost 500 hours. He now wants to get his commercial i it. Do I need to have a Tailwheel endorsment to teach him power off 180's, lazy 8's, fly XC's, etc? He has a current medical and biennial and can act as PIC. I would just get the tailwheel endorsment myself but there are none in my area except for a Brand Husky for almost $200/hr.

What part of the country are you in??

 

[luvz2fli]

so basically if there's a situation where u would take the controls due to the student doing something irregular, u don't because that would consist of you "acting" as PIC?

Is it so that the only instruction you can give is through verbal and basically nothing hands on?

I am having a hard time understanding what avbug wrote and just would appreciate some clarification. Thanks.

 

[Steve]

Thanks for the post Avbug. I was hoping you would reply

 

[avbug]

Luvz2fly,

Acting as PIC means being the PIC. Merely because you're the flight instructor, doesn't mean you're the pilot in command.

Logging PIC time is not the same as acting as PIC.

When acting as PIC, you are the final authority and responsibility for the safe operation of the aircraft.

If your student is able to act as PIC, w(h)eather or not you touch the controls has nothing to do with w(h)eather or not you are PIC...being PIC has nothing to do with touching the controls. Being PIC, being the acting PIC, means being responsibile, and accepting the responsibility for the flight.

If your student is able to act as PIC, and two of you agree that the student is PIC, you don't need the endorsement to instruct. You need to be rated in the airplane, meaning category and class. You can touch the controls, move the controls, fondle the controls...but if you're not acting as PIC (your student is), then you don't need the endorsement because the endorsement is only required to act as PIC.

Replace the word "act" with be. You need the endorsement to BE PIC. If you don't hold the endorsement, you can log PIC, you can manipulate the controls, you can do whatever you like, because you're NOT the pilot in command. Your student is.

 

[nosehair]

Every thing Avbug said...

...just do it! That's how we used to do it. You just get in a new kind of airplane with somebody who knows the airplane, and learn to fly it.
Back before endorsements were required.
And then get a tailwheel endorsement from a CFI in his 185.

By the way, notice how each FSDO Inspector will have his own interpretation which may or may not agree with national policy/interpretation.
I know, believe me, it's hard to get the concept of logging PIC when you are not. Especially for old-timers.

 

[jr51xx]

Guardhouse Lawyers

Steve,

You are getting lots of advice and opinions regarding your question about being able to perform as CFI in an aircraft that requires an endorsement that you do not have. Thus far what you have received, including my comments, are merely that; advice and opinions. Please consider them as such and go to the FAA and get an opinion in writing prior to giving instruction in an aircraft that you are not endorsed in.

Take a look at your CFI certificate. See where it requires a pilot certificate and remember that your pilot certificate is not valid to operate a taildragger. Until you have that endorsement you simply cannot operate (or teach, in my opinion) a taildragger aircraft. As someone brought up before, some FAA inspectors opine that a CFII could teach instruments... well, that is of course subject to some pretty varied interpetation by different inspectors. I would not do that, either.

If you go out and just fly with your friend and watch him fly and coach him in the CPL manuevers without logging anything, then... ah but if your friend gets pinged for anything, an accident occurs, the engine quits, anything that brings the attention of the FAA, guess what. They had better not decide that you were instructing because it will all fall into your lap. You could quote all the advice and opinions that came your way regarding this, but that will not matter to the helpful FAA. You will be the renegade CFI bad guy.

Go get the endorsement. It is fun, not that expensive and will round out your CFI skills quite nicely. You might be able to borrow your friend's C185, with the trade being that you will give some instruction toward the CPL. But never risk your certificate following guardhouse lawyer advice. Your first instinct was correct. It was doubt, was it not?

Enjoy tailwheel flying and fly safe.

JR

 

[Lead Sled]

There's one more thing to consider...

Just what will your insurance status be in the event of an accident? It probably won't be a problem but I'd want to get something in writing from the insurance company up front.

You will not be able to get anything in writing from your local feds. They just don't do things like that. Don't believe me? Just ask them to sign a statement stating that the sun usually rises in the east and normally sets in the west.

'Sled

 

[jr51xx]

CFI Tailwheel

There's one more thing to consider...

Just what will your insurance status be in the event of an accident? It probably won't be a problem but I'd want to get something in writing from the insurance company up front.

Sled is correct. If your friends aircraft is damaged, the insurance company would love to hear that you were instructing in the C185 without a tailwheel endorsement. They would either not pay and your friend would then be obliged to sue you to repair his airplane or the insurance company would pay and then come after you for all costs. Gets ugly.
You will not be able to get anything in writing from your local feds. They just don't do things like that. Don't believe me? Just ask them to sign a statement stating that the sun usually rises in the east and normally sets in the west.

'Sled

Again Sled is on the money. After all my dealings with the FAA (as the good guy) the only opinion I ever got in writing was from the FAA Regional Counsel in Atlanta, I think. They will always take the non-contraversial position and tend to favor those that do the same. They like safe, no-ripple ponds.

Getting that rating sounds better and better, doesn't it?

JR

 

[flyboycpa]

"Take a look at your CFI certificate. See where it requires a pilot certificate and remember that your pilot certificate is not valid to operate a taildragger. Until you have that endorsement you simply cannot operate (or teach, in my opinion) a taildragger aircraft."

Jr51, I hate to tell you, but you're just not correct with that statement. While you are correct, he cannot "operate" the aircraft as PIC, he is still fully legal to instruct in it so long as the pilot is qualified to act as PIC. As the instructor, he isn't teaching the guy to land,takeoff, etc.. He is teaching him instrument skills that transfer over to many types of aircraft (both trikes and conventional geared). I reread the insurance policy on both of my planes (Swift and Stinson) and, for the open-pilot clause, the pilot must have 500TT, 100 Tailwheel, and 25 in type; or be a CFI. Of course we all know that in a crash the insurance company is going to try to subrogate against anything and everything that came within 25' of the airplane, so the CFI will most likely be involved, but not for the lack of a tailwheel endorsement, because of some other deficiency in training.

fb

 

[flyboycpa]

JR51xx,

Let me follow up my post with my complete agreement with you and Lead Sled that while it is legal and permissible I still don't think that it's necessarily wise. I think that our CFI posing the original question should seek out the instruction to complete a tailwheel endorsement. I've trained people for tailwheel endorsements for many years and as you all know....it's a blast to see a new tailwheel guy finally figure out what his feet are for!

best wishes,
fb

 

[jr51xx]

Cfi

FLYBOYCPA,

Still disagree. The question was about teaching CPL maneuvers in a C185 and not having an endorsement for tailwheel. Regardless of the position of an insurance company, the FAA interpets the FARs. Holding a CFI exposes a pilot to an entirely different status and the FAA tend to hold CFIs to a rather high standard.

Steve could probably do this and be fine, but I would regard teaching in an aircraft that I was unqualified in to be an unneccessary risk of hard-earned credentials. I still vote for getting the rating or making an appointment and meeting with a supervisory FAA Inspector and getting a blessing. But then, that is just my opinion and advice!

JR

 

[avbug]

June 24, 1991

Mr. Glenn H. Rizner
Technical/Airports Specialist
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
421 Aviation Way
Frederick, MD 21701-4798

Dear Mr. Rizner:

This is in response to your letter of November 5, 1990, concerning an interpretation of Section 91.109(b)(1) of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR). We apologize for the delay in responding to you. Your question is set forth below and is followed by our interpretation of the FAR.

Question:

Your question, in pertinent part, states:
Does an appropriately rated safety pilot have to have a high performance signoff prior to acting as second in command (safety pilot) in a high performance airplane? (for example: a Piper Arrow or a Cessna Cutlass)

Since an endorsement is not a rating, the private pilot in our scenario, acting as second in command, appears to hold the appropriate category and class ratings. Therefore, he would be able to act as safety pilot without a high performance endorsement.

Again, since our pilot is acting as second in command, a review of the regulation would support the fact that he does not need the high performance endorsement.

To verify this, I spoke with [the FAA] ... and was told, although the safety pilot is acting as second in command, "he must be capable of taking over and acting as pilot in command in case of potential hazards during the flight."

We do not believe the FARs support this position and therefore would like to request a written interpretation in order to formally clarify this issue.

Answer:

Section 1.1 states, in pertinent part, that:

"Category":
(1) As used with respect to the certification, ratings, privileges, and limitations of airmen, means a broad classification of aircraft. Examples include: airplane; rotorcraft; glider; and lighter-than-air; ...

"Class"
(1) As used with respect to the certification, ratings, privileges, and limitations of airmen, means a classification of aircraft with a category having similar operating characteristics. Examples include: single engine; multiengine; land; water; gyroplane; helicopter; airship; and free balloon; ...
Section 91.109(b) states, in pertinent part, that:

No person may operate a civil aircraft in simulated instrument flight unless -
(1) The other control seat is occupied by a safety pilot who possesses at least a private pilot certificate with category and class ratings appropriate to the aircraft being flown.

Section 61.31(e) states, in pertinent part, that:

High performance airplanes. A person holding a private or commercial pilot certificate may not act as pilot in command of an airplane that has more than 200 horsepower, or that has a retractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable propeller, unless he has received flight instruction from an authorized flight instructor who has certified in his logbook that he is competent to pilot an airplane that has more than 200 horsepower, or that has a retractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable propeller, as the case may be.

A fundamental principle of statutory construction is that when language is clear and unambiguous it must be held to mean what it plainly expresses. Applying the meaning of the words "category" and "class" as defined in Part 1 of the FAR to Section 91.109(b)(1), a safety pilot would need at least a private pilot certificate with category (i.e., a broad classification of aircraft, e.g., airplane) and class (i.e., aircraft with a category having similar operating characteristics, e.g., single engine) ratings appropriate to the aircraft being flown.

Another principle of statutory construction is that all parts of the statute (i.e., preamble language) should be given equal weight. The preamble language to Amendment 91-36, 32 Federal Register 260, January 11, 1967, discussed Section 91.109(a)(2), which in 1967 was numbered as 91.21(b). Like Section 91.109(b), Section 91.109(a)(2) uses the terms category and class in stating that "The person manipulating the controls has at least a private pilot certificate with appropriate category and class ratings." That preamble language states that "Under present Sec. 91.21(b), for simulated instrument flight an 'appropriately rated pilot' must occupy the other control seat as safety pilot. Section 91.21(b) has been interpreted to require a private pilot certificate with an airplane category rating and multiengine class rating for a small multiengine land plane, and a type rating for a large airplane or for a turbojet powered airplane (large or small)."

Therefore, regarding your question, our opinion is that the safety pilot would need only a private pilot certificate with an airplane category and single engine land class ratings.

While our opinion is that there is no regulatory requirement that a safety pilot have a high performance endorsement to act as safety pilot, we are advised by the General Aviation & Commercial Division of the Flight Standards Service that they have always encouraged those pilots who act as safety pilots to be thoroughly familiar and current in the aircraft that is used. We are also advised by the General Aviation and Commercial Division that the FAA is currently in the process of reviewing the appropriate parts of the FAR to determine, among other things, if a safety pilot should be required to have a high performance endorsement.

This interpretation has been prepared by David Metzbower, Staff Attorney, Operations Law Branch, Regulations and Enforcement Division; Richard C. Beitel, Manager.

This interpretation has been coordinated with the Manager, General Aviation and Commercial Division, Flight Standards Service.

We hope this satisfactorily answers your question.

Sincerely,
Donald P. Byrne
Assistant Chief Counsel
Regulations and Enforcement Division

 

[avbug]

OCT. 28, 1980

WINSTON SCOTT JONES

Dear Mr. Jones:

This is in response to your letter in which you request an interpretation of Section 61.51(2)(c) of the Federal Aviation Regulations, regarding logging of pilot-in-command (PIC) flight time.

Specifically, you ask what time may be logged as PIC time when the pilot in the right seat is a certificated flight instructor (CFI) along for the purpose of instruction and is not a required crewmember, and the pilot in the left seat holds either a private or commercial certificate in an aircraft for which he is rated.

Section 61.51 is a flight-time logging regulation, under which PIC time may be logged by one who is not actually the pilot in command (i.e., not "ultimately" responsible for the aircraft) during that time. This is consistent with the purpose of Section 61.51, which as stated in 61.51(a) is to record aeronautical training and experience used to meet the requirements for a certificate or rating, or the recent flight experience requirements of Section 61.

Section 61.51(c)(2)(i) provides that a private or commercial pilot may log as pilot-in-command time only that flight time during which the pilot--

1. Is the sole manipulator of the controls of an aircraft for which he is rated; or

2. Is the sole occupant of the aircraft; or

3. Acts as pilot-in-command of an aircraft on which more than one pilot is required under the type certification of the aircraft, or the regulations under which the flight is conducted.

Under Section 61.51(c)(2)(iii) a certificated flight instructor may log as pilot-in-command time all flight time during which he or she acts as a flight instructor. Sections 61.51(b)(2)(iii) and (iv) provide for logging of flight instruction and instrument flight instruction received.

Accordingly, two or more pilots may each log PIC time for the same flight time. For example, a pilot who is the sole manipulator of the controls of an aircraft for which he or she is rated may log that time as PIC time under 61.51(c)(2)(i) while receiving instruction, and the instructor may log that same time as PIC time under 61.51(c)(2)(iii).

There is no provision in the FAR's for logging of "dual" flight time; however, we assume that you are referring to logging time as instruction received. Section 61.51(b)(2)(iii) and (iv) allow flight instruction and instrument instruction received time to be recorded. There is nothing in the FAR's which prevents a pilot from logging the same time as both instruction received and PIC time, as long as each requirement is met. The pilot may also log the same time as instrument instruction. Note, though, that one hour of flight logged both as one hour of PIC and one hour of instruction received still adds up to only one hour total flight time.

You request interpretations of these regulations for situations in which:

1. The purpose of the flight is instruction in advanced maneuvers.

2. The purpose of the flight is simulated instrument instruction in actual VFR conditions.

3. The purpose of the flight is instrument instruction actual IFR conditions.

4. The pilot in the left seat is not current in the aircraft or in the conditions of flight.

5. The purpose of the flight is transition from tricycle to conventional landing gear.

6. The purpose of the flight is obtaining logbook endorsement authorizing operation of a high performance aircraft, as required by FAR 61.31(e).

7. The purpose of the flight is transition to a different type aircraft of the same category and class for which the left seat pilot is rated and a type rating is not required.

In each situation, the CFI may log PIC time for all flight time during which she or he acts as flight instructor. The pilot receiving instruction may also log PIC time in each of these situations, as the pilot is the sole manipulator of the controls of an aircraft for which she or he is rated. Specifically, neither the currency requirements of situation 4 nor the log book endorsement of situation 6 are ratings within the meaning of Section 61.51. "Rating" as used in that section refers to the rating in categories, classes, and types, as listed in Section 61.5, which are placed on pilot certificates.
We trust that this discussion answers your questions.

Sincerely,
EDWARD P. FABERMAN
Acting Assistant Chief Counsel
Regulations and Enforcement Division