This a copy paste from my posting in Avsim -
Waco takeoff solved
First - there is a reason why trike gear was invented…
I am using the study level A2A Texan as a yardstick. A taildragger with large radial motor. I learned a lot from flying this.
Some theory - The rotating airflow from propeller hits one side of the tail, creates a yaw. More significant is the gyroscopic effect from the heavy radial. It kicks in with rapid pitch change…
To mitigate this, you need a lot of clean straight airflow over rudder for rudder authority.
Takeoff:
Tail wheel lock. There is handle above trim wheel to lock tailwheel (shift g) - but it is best to assign a button.
Line up up on runway PERFECTY prior to lock tailwheel. Trying to correct an initial wrong heading with tailwheel locked ends up with disaster…
Lock tailwheel and taxi forward a bit while kicking rudder, to confirm lock.
Takeoff run - Keep stick back pressure as the airspeed increase. The more clean airflow over rudder, the better. Release the stick sloooowly to neutral. Remember a rapid pitch change induce gyroscopic yaw.
There will be a yaw move. Try to anticipate it with rudder input - but with increased airflow you will have plenty of authority.
Landing:
- Tailwheel unlock - . Do not land too fast, dancing on main wheel Try to remember the attitude when aircraft is parked. Touch down in this attitude gives you a 3 pointer. Slowly flare to this attitude a few feet above the ground while stall warning sounds. Stick all way back during roll out. Continue to fly until complete stop. This is fork lift steering at high speed.
Final - I find the needed takeoff yaw correction slightly more in Waco than A2A Texan. I am not a real pilot , this could be due o a larger tail in Texan… – And again - there is a reason why trike gear was invented…