Definition
Describes an airplane with a landing gear configuration consisting of two main wheels forward of the center of gravity and a small wheel at the tail, causing the airplane to sit nose-high on the ground.
Plain English
An airplane that rests on two main wheels at the front and a small wheel under the tail, so the nose points up when it's parked or taxiing.
Context Anchor
Seen in takeoff, landing, taxi, and ground-control discussions for tailwheel airplanes, especially when explaining unwanted sharp turns on the ground.
Derivation
Named for the small wheel under the tail. Sometimes called a 'taildragger' for the same reason. The contrast is the 'tricycle-type' airplane, which has a nosewheel up front instead.
Why Pilots Care
Tailwheel-type airplanes demand precise directional control during takeoff and landing to avoid ground loops, which occur more readily than in tricycle-gear designs.
Intuition Check
Tailwheel-type does not mean the airplane merely has a tail and wheels. It specifically means the small support wheel is at the tail, not at the nose.
Example Sentence 1
Because tailwheel-type airplanes are more susceptible to ground loops, the pilot kept the stick back and stayed on the rudder pedals throughout the landing roll.
Example Sentence 2
During crosswind landings, tailwheel-type airplanes require the pilot to hold the tail down longer to maintain directional control.