What are the two basic types of landing gear?

The correct choice identifies the two basic types of landing gear as conventional and tricycle.

Conventional landing gear, sometimes referred to as tailwheel landing gear, features two main wheels located forward of the center of gravity and a third wheel (the tailwheel) located at the rear. This arrangement can offer benefits in terms of grass field operations and allows for easy access to the ground for maintenance. However, it can create challenges such as a heightened risk of nosing over during landing.

Tricycle landing gear, on the other hand, consists of two main wheels positioned beneath the fuselage and a third wheel located at the front of the aircraft, which aids in stability during takeoff and landing. This configuration is widely used in modern aircraft because it provides better visibility for the pilot during taxiing and significantly improves overall ground handling.

Recognizing these two types of landing gear helps students understand the fundamental design categories used in aviation, which influences aircraft performance, ground handling, and pilot training. The other options either refer to elements not primarily defined as landing gear types or combine unrelated concepts.