Tail wheel-type landing gear is also known as conventional
gear because many early aircraft use this type of arrangement.
The main gear are located forward of the center of gravity,
causing the tail to require support from a third wheel
assembly. A few early aircraft designs use a skid rather
than a tail wheel. This helps slow the aircraft upon landing
and provides directional stability. The resulting angle of
the aircraft fuselage, when fitted with conventional gear,
allows the use of a long propeller that compensates for older,
underpowered engine design. The increased clearance of the
forward fuselage offered by tail wheel-type landing gear is
also advantageous when operating in and out of non-paved
runways. Today, aircraft are manufactured with conventional
gear for this reason and for the weight savings accompanying
the relatively light tail wheel assembly.