Many
vintage airplanes, aerobatic planes, cropdusters, and ultralights are
taildraggers, which means there are a large number of pilots who need to
learn these particular skills and techniques. Written in plain language
with many clear illustrations to explain the dynamics and techniques, Conventional Gear
provides a thorough foundation of knowledge for the pilot seeking a
tailwheel endorsement. It presents the combined experience of thousands
of flight hours by civilian and military pilots who grew up flying
airplanes with conventional gear.
The original configuration of an airplane’s landing gear was tail
wheel. Only during World War II did the nose wheel become common, when
longer runways were required for takeoff with heavy loads. After the
war, the tricycle landing gear layout became standard, but the
traditional arrangement has always been known as “conventional” gear.
The tail wheel configuration is lighter, simpler and offers less
drag. It is also better for rough-field operations. Therefore many crop
dusters, aerobatic airplanes and ultralights are taildraggers. However,
conventional gear does introduce more demands on the pilot, especially
during takeoff and landing, and in strong winds. A taildragger is more
difficult to operate on the ground because the center of gravity is
behind the main wheels; it therefore tends to deviate from a straight
path during taxi, takeoff and landing. Because taildraggers demand more
piloting skill, flying one well is a sign of a good pilot.
If you want to fly a warbird, antique or a modern airplane with
conventional gear, this book tells you how in a simple, clearly
illustrated manner. It begins with the theory and dynamics of a tail
wheel airplane, then describes the piloting techniques needed to safely
fly a taildragger. The book concludes with a fascinating collection of
stories about what it is like to fly some of the common and not so
common airplanes with conventional gear…stories by old hands that
otherwise could only be found in a good session of hangar flying.
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