High Speed Taxiing

High speed taxiing in a tailwheel aircraft is an operation that is risky and in almost all situations and is an unnecessary risk for a pilot to take. High Speed Taxiing is in effect the beginning of a takeoff roll and then the prolonged abortion of the takeoff.

For a high speed taxi to be completed, the pilot would accelerate using power to an airspeed at which the tail can be lifted from the ground and the aircraft is taxied on the main wheels in a level attitude. Direction would be controlled using rudders only. Brake use on a high speed taxi will typically lead to a ground loop.

This position is very susceptible to roughness in the taxi area, to pilot induced oscillation, and toground loop during the taxi. It is an operation that should be avoided, but may be seen in use by some pilots.

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