Dear Captain Thorpe,

It always a pleasure to talk gliders. The three-wheeled approach is the =
most common in tandem two-seater gliders because it accommodates well =
the large changes in C.G between the empty glider (tailwheel rests =
lightly on the ground, so that raising the tail for ground handling is =
easy) the glider with one occupant (nosewheel rests lightly on the =
ground) and two occupants (nose a little heavier). In any case, the main =
wheel remain at a position that makes rotation at take-off so effortless =
that it almost happens by itself.

A few two seaters have a two-wheel design, that unavoidably makes he =
ground handling and/or the take-off run a little more difficult.

Why do gliders not adopt a classic three-wheel taildragger =
configuration? Because:

a) a semi-recessed wheel close to the fuselage has a much lower drag =
than a wheel dangling away from the fuselage on some kind of support;

b) it is a superbly robust system that can handle landings in soft or =
rocky ground, as cross-country going gliders often must. A conventional =
aircraft would leave its undercarriage (sorry, gear) behind in such =
terrain.

Kind regards,