usmc-sgt

Good assumption from someone who has no dual given. I have a plethora of tailwheel time and while it does make you a good pilot it is not 1/10th of a skill enhancer that teaching someone else to fly is.

Cubdriver

Agree. It's not as much about knowing how to do a wheel landing or a 3 point landing as knowing all about the science, practices and laws of flying, and how to explain them to the average person. It's a far more advanced skill than a three point landing in my opinion.

On the other hand, tailwheel flying has the advantage of making one more aware of the how to properly use the stick and rudder. It has been shown that nontailwheel pilots, even instructors do not make very effective use of the flight controls when they have no tailwheel experience. For this reason I fly the C185 to tow gliders as often as I can. C185 is a 300hp tailwheel airplane and aside from being good practice it is a blast to fly. I find when I have not flown it for a few weeks I get sloppy. This proves to me at least, how valuable tailwheel a/c are for sharpening stick and rudder skills.

learav8r

I think that some other posts here have explained it. The time does count. It may not be the "quality" time they are looking for but it still counts. If they require 1500TT PIC, banner time will get you there. Now if they are requesting 250 Inst, Obviously, you will have to find it somewhere else.

If you are looking for a major airline job the best time you can get to be competitive is probably regional 121 time.

There are many pro's and con's to both banner towing and instructing, enough so that there can be an entirely different thread on it.....

L-

SkyStormer6

I may not know the regs as well as a cfi and probably can't teach someone the science of flight but I don't care. Towing banners made me a better pilot. I had the time of my life doing it and now I've moved on to better things. My only point was that everyone thinks being a cfi is required to get hired at an airline and that's just not true. There are other ways to build time, some are a lot more fun, and everyone should consider that. I'm sure there are plenty of cfi's out there who hate their lives and would rather be doing something else.

usmc-sgt

No one denied that banner towing makes someone a better pilot and is alot of fun. It was what I quoted you on that got our attention.

As for being a CFI not being any fun, 70% of the time I had a great time. There were certainly days that were a bit rough doing pattern work all day when it is 100 degrees out. I had some really great students some who are now my friends who were a blast to fly with and watching them realize their goals because of something I was part of was awesome.

No need to get defensive as to towing a banner it is a fine job and many here would do it and have a great time. It is however a fact that as for experience it is flying a single engine airplane in VFR conditions single pilot.

sinsilvia666

yeah its awesome having your students come up and get their ratings even after your at an airline! cfi was def the hardest certif to get, so much work for that rating !