How To: Avoid dangerous runway tailstrikes in a Cessna 172 Skyhawk aircraft

This is something every pilot should know: tailstrikes. What are they? It's when the tail of your aircraft smacks (strikes) the runway, either during landing or takeoff. During takeoff with a fixed-wing aircraft, it could happen because of a pilot pulling up too rapidly. During landings, it could happen when a pilot flares too aggressively. Either way, it needs to be avoided.

This video safety bulletin is designed to give aerospace students and instructors the latest information regarding issues that are deemed safety sensitive which directly relate to UND Aerospace Flight Operations. This bulletin describes the risk associated with the landing and takeoff phases where numerous factors can lead to an undesired tail strike.