Tailwheel
Ground Loop Divergence
In a tricycle gear the center of gravity is ahead of the main wheels, so a touchdown a few degrees crooked straightens itself out. In a taildragger the CG is behind the mains, so that same yaw grows — and once the tail swings past the main-gear track, no rudder saves it. Kick it crooked and watch which airplane forgives you.
Looking straight down · rolling out
center of gravity main-gear track—
Gear type
Your rudder reactionHow quickly and firmly you catch the swing
Yaw angle
0°
off centerline
Tendency
—
on the ground
Why it diverges
Directional stability
The moment the tail swings wider than the main-gear track, the CG's momentum carries it around and the ground loop is unavoidable — so the fix is never to salvage it. Stay ahead of the swing with small, quick rudder, and when a touchdown isn't straight, the default is full power and go around.