FAA Ground School Practice Test

What is the correct control position for taxiing a tailwheel airplane with a left quartering tailwind?

1. Left aileron down, elevator up

2. Left aileron down, elevator down

3. Right aileron down, elevator neutral

4. Neutral ailerons, elevator down

The correct answer is: Left aileron down, elevator down

When taxiing a tailwheel airplane with a left quartering tailwind, the control position is critical for maintaining control of the aircraft. In this scenario, having the left aileron down is essential to counteract the effects of the wind pushing the tail to the left while simultaneously keeping the wing level. The down position of the left aileron helps increase the lift on that wing, promoting stability and preventing the risk of the left wing rising due to the wind. Additionally, the elevator should be down. Keeping the elevator down helps to maintain a proper angle of attack and assists in keeping the nose of the aircraft from lifting. This configuration is particularly important when taxiing in windy conditions, as it helps ensure that the tailwheel can maintain contact with the ground, thus improving directional control and preventing the aircraft from weathercocking into the wind. Therefore, for a tailwheel airplane taxiing in a left quartering tailwind, the combination of a left aileron down and the elevator down is the most effective control position for maintaining stability.