To prevent overturning while taxiing a light tricycle-gear airplane in strong tailwinds, what position should the elevator be in?

In a light tricycle-gear airplane, maintaining control while taxiing in strong tailwinds is crucial to prevent overturning. The correct position for the elevator in this scenario is the down position.

When the elevator is in the down position, it increases the downforce on the nose gear, which enhances stability and prevents the tail from rising excessively. This is especially important in tailwind conditions, as they can create an aerodynamic lift at the tail and put the aircraft at risk of becoming airborne from the ground. By keeping the elevator down, the pilot ensures that the nose of the airplane stays on the ground, providing better directional control and reducing the likelihood of the tail lifting and potentially leading to a loss of control.

In contrast, other positions like neutral or up would not provide the necessary stability. The neutral position would not counteract any lift from the tail, and the up position could lead to a significant amount of tail lift, increasing the risk of overturning. Therefore, using the down elevator position is the most effective way to manage the aircraft’s attitude during taxiing in challenging tailwind conditions.