I'll Start the Controvercy...
I cannot state this as fact; however, it was interesting to hear and worth some validation. A well known and respected TW instructor in Winter Haven FL claims that the short leg 4 is not (always?) in full stall at touchdown thus making it less safe to a degree vs other tail draggers. I’m sure this will be a bit controversial here but it made sense at the time. Not debating wheel versus three point landings. I’d always wondered what the community here would say and this thread seems a decent place to broach this topic.
I agree that this is a good place to discuss; I disagree in said TW instructor's blanket conclusion...
-Critical AOA ("full stall") is a function of airspeed and WEIGHT
-At touchdown, the weight born by the wing immediately decreases as it is transferred to the wheels.
-So, "full stall" is only transitory. As soon as the wing sheds some of the weight upon landing it is no longer stalled. The long gear -4 is again flying in the 3 point attitude just like the short gear -4 that never experienced a "full stall" seconds before.
Question: Why would introducing a "full stall" into a critical operating phase like landing be a good thing?
-Some will say "a full stall 3 point landing places the aircraft more solidly on the ground." I counter: Stalling an aircraft is loosing a degree of control, yes? Is this really a good thing just prior to touchdown when seconds later the aircraft will not be stalled? In other words, introducing a second or 2 of control loss is a good thing in a phase of flight where safety margins are at their smallest?
-Lastly: When on deck, when flying is not the goal, lift on the wings is undesirable. From landing roll out, to taxi, to being tied down: Any wing AOA combined with wind (relative or natural) is a negative. Except for rough/soft field ops.
So, in the taildragger world, safety would favor the short gear -4 over the long gear -4.
Provided prop clearance were not an issue...
And provided a slower speed at touchdown is not needed for short field considerations...
And more lift at any given time during take-off or landing is not desired for soft and/or rough field considerations...
And provided the pilot is as comfortable and experienced in either...
Dan