What is required for a pilot to act as pilot in command of a tailwheel airplane without prior experience?

To act as pilot in command of a tailwheel airplane without prior experience, it is essential for a pilot to pass a competency check and receive an endorsement from an authorized instructor. This requirement ensures that the pilot has demonstrated the necessary skills and knowledge specific to the characteristics and handling of tailwheel airplanes, which can differ significantly from tricycle-gear aircraft.

The endorsement serves as official documentation that confirms the pilot's competence and ability to safely operate a tailwheel aircraft. This process upholds safety standards in aviation and assists in mitigating risks associated with the unique flight characteristics of tailwheel airplanes.

The other options, while they may suggest important learning opportunities or practices, do not satisfy the regulatory requirement needed to legally act as pilot in command of such aircraft. Logging flight hours or completing training courses, for instance, does not replace the necessity of an official endorsement from a qualified instructor, which is the key factor in regulatory compliance.