Definition
A landing gear arrangement with two main wheels positioned forward of the airplane's center of gravity and a small third wheel under the tail. Airplanes with this configuration are commonly called taildraggers because the tail rests low on the ground when the airplane is parked.
Plain English
A landing gear setup with two big wheels up front and one small wheel under the tail, so the airplane sits with its nose pointing slightly upward on the ground.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of landing gear types, especially when comparing tailwheel airplanes with airplanes that have a wheel under the nose.
Derivation
Called "conventional" because this was the standard layout for most airplanes built before nosewheel designs became common in the mid-20th century. The name stuck even though tricycle gear is now far more typical.
Why Pilots Care
Requires specific taxi, takeoff, and landing techniques to maintain directional control and avoid propeller strikes or ground loops.
Intuition Check
Conventional does not mean easiest, safest, or most common today. In this FAA context, it means the older-style tailwheel landing gear arrangement.
Example Sentence 1
Before flying the Cub solo, she completed her tailwheel endorsement because the airplane has conventional gear.
Example Sentence 2
Transition training from tricycle to conventional gear emphasizes keeping the nose wheel off the ground until the proper speed is reached.