Customer Reviews

Conventional Gear: Flying a Taildragger (General Aviation Reading series)

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I purchased this book from ASA in 2004 to prepare for tailwheel transition training. The text covers basic techniques applicable to any airplane but the most useful chapter covers Ground and Flight Dynamics (Chapter 2) that impact a tailwheel airplane. I felt that the book was rather "thin" and was padded by adding 90 pages discussing "different" taildraggers, usually rare and unique ones. The cover photo shows a beautiful Ryan WWII trainer but does not discuss this aircraft at all. Most US pilots I know would prefer to have a basic discussion of common types of tailwheel aircraft available to them, especially the kit-built experimentals such as the RV series. I received my tailwheel endorsement in 3.5 hours in an Aeronca 7AC (85 HP) but also received my ASES certificate in 4.0 hours in a Piper PA18-180 on EDO 2250 floats. My tailwheel flight instructor thoroughly reviewed Flight and Ground Dynamics in my first lesson with her. My reading this book prior to my first lesson at least allowed me to be able to verbalize to her my understanding of the concepts she was discussing. Rather than keep the book in my aviation library, I have lent it out to friends who have transitioned to tailwheel training who thought it useful. I currently fly a Taylorcraft BC12-D (65 HP) which handles differently than the Aeronca 7AC on landing. A discussion on these differences in comonly available aircraft would have been very useful.

Prior to transitioning to the Austflight/Maxair Drifter, I found the book very educational and helpful. The items/topics are relevant and, although not a replacement to actual training, this book can help the novice pilot understand the behavior of the taildragger. Furthermore, the book can help prepare for an actual taildragger flight by informing the reader what to expect and how to react in situations peculiar only to the taildragger. I know I have become a safer pilot just by understanding how taildraggers work, thanks to this book.

Only a small portion of this book pertains to "Flying a Taildragger". Most of the book is of a general nature that is not taildragger specific, therefore, I feel the title is misleading. If the reader is looking for a thorough intro into the operation of conventional gear aircraft, look elsewhere, you will not find it here. Based on the title, this book is a waste of money.

Robson's book has excellent information on flying specific aircraft, especially pertaining to the UK and other European countries. As an experienced pilot, I found much of his aircraft specific information to be excellent and his conversational style of writing approchable. I don't think the new student would appreciate this book until he or she has flown more than one type of tail dragger. But there is a great deal of useful information contained therein. I would recommend Sparky Imeson's "Taming the Taildragger" to beginners and advanced students as well. Or Harvey P's The Compleat Taildragger Pilot Happy tail wagging!

I do not have a taildragger plane. I am just a flight simulator entusiast. The book show us how to fly some flight simulator taildragger planes. If it is a very helpfull book to a simulation software, for a real plane it will be better !