Watch: Kid Pilot Successfully Lands a Taildragger in Impressive Moment

Published Mar 6, 2026 By John Lerit

@bananasssssssss / Instagram

In a video shared online by pilot Joe Costanza, viewers watch a young girl guide a small taildragger airplane toward a runway. The clip shows her practicing a landing in a Piper Super Cub after first learning on the older J-3 Cub. For many pilots, landing a tailwheel aircraft requires careful control, making the moment notable for such a student.

Costanza wrote that winter had been long and slow but he was excited to teach his daughter how to land the Super Cub. The training marked a step forward after time spent flying the lighter J-3 Cub. He also joked that many airplane camping trips could be ahead for their family someday as her skills continue to grow with practice.

Learning to Land a Taildragger

The Piper Super Cub, known as the PA-18, is a simple two-seat aircraft often used for training and bush flying. Its tailwheel design places a small wheel at the back instead of the nose. Because of this layout pilots must control direction carefully while landing and rolling along the runway to avoid turns or ground loops during operations.

Learning in aircraft like the J-3 Cub and Super Cub has long been common in small flying schools across North America. Both airplanes are light, slow, and easy to maintain. Many instructors say they teach strong flying habits because students must rely on basic controls rather than heavy automation or complex electronic systems during early training flights alone.

A Family Tradition in the Air

The video also reflects a tradition shared by many families in general aviation. Parents who fly often pass the interest to their children through short lessons and local flights. These early experiences help young learners become comfortable in the cockpit and understand how aircraft respond to small movements of the controls during flight training and practice sessions.

Another short clip shared on the same account shows another child Amelia during a calmer flight. Costanza noted she was “not quite as adventurous as Maddie,” suggesting each child approaches flying in a different way. Together the videos show quiet teaching moments between a parent and young pilots learning patience focus and careful flying skills over time.