What am I? The not-a-tailwheeltailwheel
Tail strike protection
The Concorde had a relatively tiny tailwheel designed to protect the aft fuselage in case of a damaging tail strike. And at the other end of the speed spectrum, Light Sport models such as the Aeroprakt A–22 and Remos G3 have a similar arrangement. These airplanes with fixed, tricycle landing gear have a tailwheel designed to spin if it ever contacts the ground and save the aft fuselage from harm.
Other tricycle-gear airplanes use tie-down rings or skids accomplish the same purpose—although less obviously, or stylishly.
Watch your back
Taildragging
Protection for overzealous takeoffs
Tailstrikes may occur on takeoff in a nosewheel airplane if a pilot overrotates, pitching up too aggressively. Here’s how different aircraft designs protect the tail.
Wheel
The Aeroprakt A–22 forgives gracefully with a wheel at the back.
Skid
A plate at the rear of theDiamond DA20 protects its more expensive parts.
Tiedown ring
The tail tiedown ring on a Cessna 152 may be a little worse for wear after it takes one for the tail assembly team.
Related Articles
