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Tail wheel position when towing

Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice question 21 of 26 on Ground Operations and Servicing. ACS element AM.I.F.K1 · difficulty: recall. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONAny time an aircraft equipped with a tail wheel is towed, the tail wheel must be

  1. Aunlocked.
  2. Blocked in the fore-and-aft position.
  3. Cchocked on both sides of the wheel.
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. unlocked.

  • A — correct The handbook states that whenever a tail wheel aircraft is towed, the tail wheel must be unlocked; otherwise the locking mechanism may be damaged or broken.
  • B — incorrect Locking the tail wheel fore and aft is a tie-down step for parked aircraft, not a towing step. A locked tail wheel can be damaged when the aircraft is pulled around a turn.
  • C — incorrect Chocks are placed at the main landing gear of a parked aircraft; a chocked wheel cannot be towed at all.

BACKGROUND

Tail wheel aircraft are generally towed forward with the tow bar attached to the main landing gear, and in most cases may be towed in reverse with the bar attached to the tail wheel axle. The handbook states that any time a tail wheel aircraft is towed, the tail wheel must be unlocked, or the tail wheel locking mechanism may be damaged or broken. This is different from the tie-down procedure, in which the nosewheel or tail wheel is locked in the fore-and-aft position after the aircraft is parked. Specific instructions for each model are in the manufacturer's maintenance instructions and are followed in all cases.

STUDY TIP

Remember the contrast: a tail wheel is locked fore and aft for tie-down but unlocked for towing.

KEY POINTS

  • A tail wheel must be unlocked whenever the aircraft is towed.
  • A locked tail wheel can be damaged or broken during towing turns.
  • Tail wheel aircraft are normally towed forward from the main gear or in reverse from the tail wheel axle.

SOURCES

  • FAA-H-8083-30B ch01 "Towing of Aircraft"
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SkyDrill is not affiliated with the FAA. This is an original practice item based on FAA-H-8083-30B Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – General, 14 CFR part 43 and part 65. Regulations and handbooks are revised; confirm details against the current edition.