RV-8 steering link--long
I'm a few months ahead of you on the RV-8 transition and can offer my thoughts. I'm not a CFI and not a particularly high time tailwheel pilot, although I have managed to scrounge a little bit of time in a few different TW airplanes over the years.
I had the same impression intially about the steering link on my RV-8. I was able to touch down OK on the mains, but my directional control deteriorated as soon as I brought the tail down.
Six months and probably 175 landings later, I'm much happier with the setup.
The RV-8 rudder is very effective with the airplane up on the mains, even down to fairly low speeds. It is noticeably less effective with the tail low unless there is a crosswind (I have a three-blade CS prop which probably contributes to this). With the tailwheel on the ground, the steering is very positive and quick.
Currently, in most conditions, I try to roll the mains on with the tail low, and hold the tail off the runway until I'm very slow, which requires a lot of forward stick by the end of the roll. By the time I put the tail down, I'm so slow that the transition is nil. If you lower the tail early in the landing roll, it's like turning on power steering, and you have to be ready for the increase in responsiveness. I've found that a better way to increase directional control early in the roll is to lift the tail, which puts the rudder in cleaner air.
I haven't yet discoverd the secret to graceful 3-point landings. I've made 2 that were perfect, but the rest have been ugly.
The airplane is easiest to land with a little crosswind, as this feeds the tail clean air.
The steering link is a huge benefit in crosswind taxi, where it prevents a lot of the weathervaning that is typical in taildraggers. I can taxi right down the yellow stripe in a crosswind with no more effort than a cherokee.
My landings have gotten pretty consistent, and I don't worry about having an audience. I don't intentially three-point if anybody is watching though ;-).
I was a little nervous at first about flying with passengers and a CG farther aft, since it has been my experience that many tailwheel airplanes are more challenging with pax in the back, but this hasn't been an issue at all.
My $.02. Hope it's somewhat helpful.
James Freeman