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.
Softcover, 220 pages, illustrated, indexed.
Also by David Robson:
- Transition to Twins: Your First
Multi-Engine Rating
- Skydancing: Aerobatic Flight Techniques