The 3-axis types came along a little later, from the early 1970s. While the Europeans were playing with Weightshift types, the Australians still favoured more conventional aeroplanes, those with control surfaces.

3-axis types come in two subtypes, with either the third wheel at the tail end of the aeroplane (a 'tailwheel aircraft') or with it at under the nose (funnily enough, a 'nosewheel aircraft'). They all have a rudder (vertical) control surface and an elevator control surface (horizontal). They usually also have ailerons for roll control. The engine can be mounted in the nose (tractor) or behind the cockpit (pusher).