Texas Tailwheel is a small independently owned & operated flight training provider currently operating in the Dallas area. Our goal is to help you reach your flight training goals in a safe, efficient, and cost-effective manner.
Our primary instructor, Ryan, is a 6th generation Texan who has been flying since 2003. He is currently employed on a full time basis as an aerial photographer and he enjoys instructing pilots on the side. He has over 6000 hours of single-engine aircraft flight time, including over 1000 hours of tailwheel experience and 2000 hours of instruction. His background includes experience flying a wide range of 40+ types of small aircraft, including a range of tailwheel aircraft. Along the way he has owned several aircraft including Taylorcraft BC-12s, a Piper Colt, Cessna 172, Piper PA-20 Pacer, Cessna 120, and currently a Luscombe 8A.
Availability:
Ryan is available by appointment, outside of his primary commitments to his aerial photography work and family time. He is currently able to work with students in a Luscombe 8A about 25 minutes south of downtown Dallas at 25XS – Moonbow Airport. We are currently only accepting dual only clients for tailwheel endorsements, flight reviews, or checkouts and general proficiency training since we do not have access to a good primary trainer for private pilots at this time – although access to a Cessna 150, Piper Colt, Cessna 172, Piper Cherokee or similar aircraft is desired – if you have an aircraft and would be interested in working with Ryan, please send a message!
Pricing:
Tailwheel endorsement or proficiency flight training:
$300 flat rate per 2 hour lesson block / flight training session.
This includes 2 hours of instructor time, and 1.1-1.5 hours of aircraft time, depending on the student and conditions. We’ve gone to a flat rate due to trying to simplify payments. Every individual is different, but we estimate that most pilots will need between 4-12 flights to earn their tailwheel endorsement. My shortest endorsement was 3 flight hours for a helicopter pilot who was proficient and very, very good with the rudder pedals from the start. If you’re that good, we promise we won’t hold you back!
Aircraft:
Our instructor’s current aircraft is a Luscombe 8A. The Luscombe is a classic two-seat side-by side trainer that features honest handling characteristics and a stick instead of a yoke.
Current expenses are roughly $125-130/hr. ($125 x 1.6 would be $200 of the $300 per session) – which is currently under relatively dramatic flux due to rising gas, oil, hangar, insurance, and maintenance prices. Since insurance only allows us to offer dual instruction, it is wrapped up in the lesson cost if you do not have an aircraft to use.
Location: Our primary aircraft is located about 25 minutes south of downtown Dallas at 25XS – Moonbow Airport.
Consulting: If you are interested in purchasing or selling an aircraft or would like to get an opinion on an light single-engine aircraft in the DFW area, get help with a checkout, review logbooks, or other similar things, we can help.
Photography: Ryan is also a professional photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography and can arrange to help take photos of your aircraft, or help you with other photography projects. Contact for details and rates.
Instructor Ferry for Insurance purposes
If you are purchasing and aircraft and need to have dual instruction in order to qualify for insurance, a ride-along instructor to bring your aircraft home may be an effective way to get to know your new aircraft. Call us if you are interested.
To schedule a flight or chat with the instructor please text or call (469)-740-2222. Please leave a detailed message if we are flying or unavailable, or email us at: tailwheelflightinstructor@gmail.com
Below is a video of a student Ryan soloed in a Piper Cub back in 2012 down in the San Antonio area.
Thank you for visiting!