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

~ (Author) "The standard configuration of the landing gear on airplanes prior to and during World War II was the tail wheel..." (more)
Key Phrases: adverse aileron yaw, tail wheel steering, tail wheel aircraft, Tiger Moth, Sea Fury, World War (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"Conventional gear" refers to the traditional configuration of an airplane's landing gear with a wheel mounted on the very tail of the craft. Focusing on teaching pilots to overcome some of the difficulties of taildragger aircraft, this guide teaches critical skills for controlling the plane on takeoff, landing without bouncing the aircraft, and handling the craft on the ground. In addition to the theory and dynamics and the piloting techniques for tailwheel planes, information is also supplied on the specific handling characteristics of many popular tailwheel aircraft such as the Cessna 185 Skywagon, the Piper Pawnee, and the De Havilland D.H.82 Tiger Moth.

About the Author

David Robson is the author of Skydancing: Aerobatic Flight Techniques, Sunrise to Sunset: Night Flight Techniques, and Transition to Twins: Your First Multi-Engine Rating.

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc.; illustrated edition edition (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560274603
• ISBN-13: 978-1560274605
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #727,011 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Basic infomation for tailwheel transition, July 15, 2005

By	Dr. Richard B. Hecker "Paradox" (San Antonio TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Conventional Gear: Flying A Taildragger, May 12, 2007

By	Stephen L. Schofield "AmAirDC3" (Vero Beach, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

3.0 out of 5 stars A Good Resource, but not for the novice., January 11, 2009

By	Dr. William Morse "Dr Bill" (Colorado Springs, Colorado United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!