We really liked almost every taildragger we flew for many reasons. The little ones, for example (not the warbirds), could get in and out of soft runways like sand, or wet grass fields. A taildragger version of any airplane will be faster than its "nosedragger" brethren because of reduced drag from the smaller tailwheel. Taildraggers are lighter, and can carry more freight. Taildraggers are cheaper to maintain since the tailwheel requires so little maintenance compared to a steerable nosewheel. The little Pipers, Aeroncas, and others were real angels at touchdown. They can be dropped onto the ground, and they stay there. Not like some Cessnas, which will start porpoising if you're the least bit off on your timing. They're all different. Each one is an adventure.
"Conventional landing gear" was the traditional configuration of an airplane's undercarriage. This new book explains in detail how to fly an airplane that has this "conventional" type of landing gear, often called taildraggers. 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.
A taildragger is more difficult to operate on the ground because it diverts from a straight line when moving. It is more difficult to control upon takeoff; it is also harder to land because it tends to bounce and weathervane on touchdown unless the pilot is skilled. So because it takes more piloting skill, flying a taildragger well is the sign of a good pilot.
The three parts of the book include: the theory and dynamics of a tailwheel airplane; the piloting techniques needed to safely operate a tailwheel airplane; and a series of descriptions of what it is like to fly a selection of traditional and current tailwheel airplanes. The last section is edited by the author from contributions of pilots and airline captains with experience in the particular tailwheel airplanes covered.
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. Softcover, 220 pages.