Definition
A small wheel mounted at the rear of an airplane's fuselage that supports the tail when the aircraft is on the ground. On tailwheel-configured airplanes (often called taildraggers), it replaces the nosewheel of a tricycle-gear airplane and is typically steerable, linked to the rudder pedals to allow directional control during taxi, takeoff, and landing rolls.
Plain English
A small wheel under the back of the airplane that holds the tail off the ground and helps steer while the airplane is rolling on the ground.
Context Anchor
Seen when describing airplanes with the main wheels forward and a small wheel at the tail, especially during ground handling, taxi, takeoff, and landing discussions.
Why Pilots Care
Tailwheel airplanes require different taxi, takeoff, and landing techniques to maintain directional control and prevent propeller strikes or ground loops.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane resting on two main wheels and a small wheel under the tail, with the nose sitting higher than the tail.
Intuition Check
A tailwheel is not just any wheel near the rear of an airplane. In this context, it means the landing-gear wheel that supports the tail while the airplane is on the ground.
Example Sentence 1
Before her first solo in the Piper Cub, she completed several hours of tailwheel training to learn how to keep the airplane straight during the landing roll.
Example Sentence 2
Because the airplane is a tailwheel model, the pilot kept the stick fully aft while taxiing to keep the propeller clear of the surface.