Bellanca Citabria 7GCAA parked at High Tide Aviation

Tailwheel Endorsement

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Tailwheel Endorsement Training is available in

Southport, NC
St Simons Island, GA
Wilmington, NC

Tailwheel Training & Endorsement | High Tide Aviation

Why Earn Your Tailwheel Endorsement?

A Tailwheel Endorsement offers you a fundamental shift in how you fly. Operating conventional-gear aircraft demands precise footwork, proactive control inputs, and a deep understanding of energy management. By mastering the Bellanca Citabria 7GCAA, you not only unlock the ability to fly classic and backcountry airplanes, but you also become a more precise, safer pilot in every aircraft you fly.

Our tailwheel training is a proficiency-based endorsement, meaning there is no required checkride or written exam. You earn the endorsement once you demonstrate safe, consistent competence in crosswind landings, three-point landings, and wheel landings. Most pilots complete this program in just a few flights—faster and more affordably than a multi-engine rating. The 1976 Citabria features a 180-horsepower Lycoming engine paired with practical avionics like the Garmin G5 and AERA 660, giving you an authentic yet modern stick-and-rudder experience.

Program Prerequisites

Before starting your tailwheel training, ensure you meet these criteria:

Current Pilot Certificate: You must already hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate.
FAA Medical: You must hold a valid FAA medical certificate or BasicMed.
Desire to Sharpen Skills: Expect to focus heavily on rudder coordination and precise aircraft control.

Enrollment Process

Ready to step up to conventional gear? Here is how your process works:

1. Schedule Your Flight: Contact our team to book your initial tailwheel flight in the Citabria 7GCAA.
2. Hands-On Training: Work directly with our instructors over a few flights to master three-point landings, wheel landings, and crosswind control.
3. Earn Your Endorsement: Since this is a proficiency-based program, your instructor will endorse your logbook as soon as you consistently demonstrate safe mastery of the aircraft. No checkride required.