A gentleman called me today wanting a tailwheel endorsement for his dads LSA homemade biplane. He is a licensed LSA pilot but all his time was in a tri gear machine. The biplane is a single seat so do I just observe the guy and call him good or do we need to locate a 2 seat taildragger? I plan to look this up in the regs later this week, we are on the way out the door so in the meantime thought I would post here and see what you folks have to say.

Also, what do yall think a fair charge is for my service if its as simple as just watching him fly?

Do you know any local CFI's with an airplane? I would refer him to a friend who is set up.

He's going to need at least 5 hours of dual if he is to be expected to take off and land and not bend something. A person can get away without it only if they are lucky and hope to learn gradually but the first time he goes up and the dead calm day turns into a 15 mph breezy crosswind bad stuff is almost bound to happen.

I'd either pass or find something with 2 seats and do it properly. If you do decide to pass on it, he should be able to find someone through the builders club that is sure to have developed around the LSA homebuilt.

I have already watched the guy fly the biplane. He is real good and under very close supervision from his dad, Uncle and a mutual friend who flew sprayers for 30 yrs. I would have no problem signing this guy off.

Here's something poached off a page:

What are the requirements for a tailwheel endorsement?

You don't need a tailwheel endorsement if you’ve already logged pilot-in-command (PIC) time in a tailwheel airplane prior to April 15, 1991. Otherwise, you must now receive a one-time logbook endorsement to act as PIC in a tailwheel airplane. The recommended wording for this endorsement, which is to be signed and dated by your tailwheel instructor, is provided in Advisory Circular (AC) 61-65D:

"I certify that (Pilot's Name), (Pilot's Certificate), (Pilot's Certificate Number), has received the required training of §61.31(i) in a (make and model tailwheel airplane). I have determined that he/she is proficient in the operation of a tailwheel airplane."

Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) section 61.31(i) elaborates:

"The flight training must include at least the following maneuvers and procedures:
(i) Normal and crosswind takeoffs and landings;
(ii) Wheel landings (unless the manufacturer has recommended against such landings); and
(iii) Go-around procedures."

If he's already comfortable you could probably get away with an hour of airwork in a taildragger, just to cover the bases and yourself as well but it looks like you'll need at least a little dual with him. I did sign off a guys biennial once where he went around the pattern by himself, as that is allowed but it looks like in order to give the endorsement you'll need to have a little dual involved too.

Mark, Thanks for your effort. Im gonna do a little more research when I get a chance to verify the exact requirements but you are probably correct. I thought it may be something a little different for a light sport pilot flying a single seat light sport aircraft?? If it wasnt for our mutual friend Marvin I wouldnt even bother. Maybe I should read my American FLyers CFI renewal a little closer next time!!

The guy might want to check with his insurance carrier. Twenty five years ago when I got that endorsement (90 champ) the carrier wanted 5 hours instruction logged before they would cover. The log says we did taxi work, crosswind TO and Lndgs, short field work, slips and both full stall and wheel landings. If that isn't required, it probably is still a good idea. I haven't bruised that champ YET, (I have ~1200 hrs since) but I realize every time I climb in my time may come.

I dont think these guys have insurance. They have their own airstrip and hand built the planes from scratch. They even hand made the props from wood cut on their land. Very talented gentlemen to say the least!