Landing a Taildragger, Wheel Landing Vs Three Point Landing. Which is best and Why.

Alright, a little background on the difference between the two Landings.

Wheel Landing:

The wheel landing, also known as a 'two-point' landing, involves gently touching down on the main wheels while keeping the tailwheel off the ground. Think of it as "flying the airplane onto the runway." The key to a successful wheel landing is to smoothly bring the mains in contact with the runway while simultaneously releasing back pressure and pushing the stick forward to attain a negative angle of attack on the wing.

The main risk associated with a wheel landing arises during the rollout when the tailwheel remains off the ground, and the effectiveness of the rudder decreases due to reduced airflow over it. It's crucial to recognize this "rudder fade" and get the tailwheel down for proper steering. Once the tailwheel is down, keep the stick all the way back until the plane comes to a complete stop. Some pilots prefer power-on wheel landings, while others favor power-off landings, a choice often based on personal preference and airplane type.

The advantage of a wheel landing is that it's easier to spot-land , and you have more flight control authority due to the higher speed at touchdown. This technique is often preferred in strong crosswinds.

Now, let's talk about a landing technique that requires a bit more finesse: The Three-Point Landing (also known as "Full Stall Landing").

In this technique, the pilot aims to touch down simultaneously on all three wheels – the main wheels and the tailwheel – at the slowest possible speed while keeping the stick all the way back. Alternatively, you can fully stall the airplane just above the runway, and it gently settles down in the

three-point attitude.

What's great about the three-point landing is that the airplane is essentially done flying; it's slow, and the tailwheel is down, providing precise steering control with no ambiguity. However, one of the disadvantages of three-point landings is that they can be a bit more challenging to spot land because when the airplane stops flying, it stops flying and that's where it comes down. Additionally, in gusty conditions, you're more susceptible to being affected by the wind because you have less flight control authority.

As Always, it's good to practice both!!

0:00 Intro

0:40 From Behind View of Each Type

1:33 Three Point Landings.

5:25 Wheel Landings

8:03 Side by Side Comparison

8:32 Crosswind Landings