tail skid

noun

, Aeronautics.

1. a runner under the tail of an airplane.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tail skid¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

The fuselage under the tail of a jet has a bump on it called a “tail skid” that is designed to crumple and absorb impact.

From Seattle Times

We have to let the ship down on two wheels and let the tail skid at a speed of thirty-five miles an hour and not break the landing gear.

From Project Gutenberg

No tail skid is necessary because the tail will never be near the ground.

From Time Magazine Archive

As he taxied up the field, the plane's tail skid threw a rock through the fuselage, injuring the stabilizer controls.

From Time Magazine Archive

Then he pushes the joy stick forward slightly to get the plane's tail skid off the ground, pulls it backward and the plane rises.

From Time Magazine Archive