Primary training in a taildragger is not a step back BY BUDD DAVISSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE FIZER 32 FLIGHT TRAINING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020 AVIATION IS UP TO ITS EMPENNAGE IN TALL TALES: V-tail Bonanzas are doctor killers. Warbirds have uncontrollable P-factor/torque. Runways shorter than 2,000 feet long require specialized skills. Density altitude isn't a factor below 1,800 feet msl. And my favorite: Tailwheel airplanes are inherently dangerous and too difficult for most pilots to fly. It is far too often assumed that taking initial flight training in a taildragger is not only dangerous but unnecessarily drags out training.