Incredible I can contribute once again to the "master" of KRs...LOL
Seriously, Mark I would continue to taxi around until you feel as comfortable as driving your car. I did, and was so glad because there were no surprises when landing later. I just took a tour of the airport and began maneuvering into every spot I could see, practiced "parking" in imaginary spots, going around non-existent obstacles until I had the confidence to get around other aircraft. If you get into a bind, shut it down and push it out into the open again and start over. Something bites you, keep going back until you master it. If you don't that will be the one item that will someday bite you while transitioning some other time. Just my opinion, but anyone who recommends to avoid a portion of the flight regime, or not practice it, either needs to quit calling themselves a pilot, or shut up and quit giving their cowardly advice. The ONLY way to control risk in flying is to become competent in ALL areas, not just in some. It is much easier and safer to handle a ground loop at half speed then to face the same situation at landing speed with the end of the runway coming up much faster, AND you are tired and fatigued from your first nerve racking flight! Get it tail up and hold it steady and straight, then gradually let it sink with no power. See if you can "hop" it into ground effect just a foot or two off the runway very early on the runway, then let it sink onto the mains and hold it straight as before. This gets you practicing the most important aspects of mastering a tailwheel landing, with the maximum repetition, and lowest risk. By doing that you will effectively practice landing the airplane over and over without having to fly the pattern for 5 minutes to get 10 seconds of practice. There is no managing of the approach, pressure of speeds, watching other traffic, staying near the airport, not overshooting final etc.... Keep it close to the ground until you are comfortable. The rest comes soon enough. I have used this many times in teaching others how to land and how to land better, including other CFIs. One pilot that I showed these things to had been flying for over 15 years and had never been taught this stuff. Landing is not luck, it is practiced skill. As far as steering, here is the secret for all you tailwheel wanna bes and wanna be better: when beginning a turn or correction start by applying pressure to that rudder, NOT pushing the pedal, or if the tailwheel is down, pressure to that brake. The moment that the plane begins to react in the desired direction, IMMEDIATELY begin applying a small amount of counter pressure to the opposite brake or pedal to control the amount of turn and rate, much the same way we begin taking out turns from the steering wheel before completion of the turn. By practicing this regulation of the turns, one can get to the point of applying brakes while the tailwheel is still up, and doing things like figure 8's, and so forth for skill building. This skill prevents the ground loop by limiting the amount of reaction the plane gives and gets the pilot ahead of the plane's reaction instead of behind it. This skill necessary in order to have the proper reaction time when transitioning from a landing into taxi operations. Good flying Mark, and CONGRATS!!!!! You deserve it! Colin Rainey Sanford,FL
