Taildraggers
I note that FS2004 recommends forward pressure on the stick when taking off to get the tail to lift. I have found that this is not necessary as when the aircraft is ready for flight the tail will lift at flying speed without the need for any stick pressure at all - I leave it central.
I figured that putting the elevators into a nose-down position creates drag which will slow the plane down.
The only Taildragger I have encountered that needs help to get the tail up is the Vickers "Viking" which shows marked reluctance to lift. It also appears to take a lot of runway to unstick. The restoration team of the Brooklands "Viking" recommend no flaps deployed on takeoff.
I wonder what others have experienced. The "Tiger Moth" practically floats into the sky by itself.
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With any new tail-dragger I load I don't touch the stick and let the aircraft go down the runway by itself. As you have said they lift the tail by themselves (if they are well built) and take of and climb, all without touching the stick.
The few that don't I usually find aren't that good in the air either.
It works both ways, but I am pretty sure real taildragger pilots did (and do) apply forward pressure as soon as they can get their 
off the ground. After all it is better to take off with the tailhook still attached 
The first advantage to getting the tail up as quick as possible is forward visibility.
In theory at least you can get off the ground quicker (shorter take off run) with the tail up and this does relate to drag. Think about it, the small amount of drag from the elevator is nothing compared to the drag of the wings at the angle to the wind with the tail on the ground.
If you have a cross wind that is another advantage to getting the tail up quickly, the plane will be more stable with the tail up.
Bindolaf wrote:
It works both ways, but I am pretty sure real taildragger pilots did (and do) apply forward pressure as soon as they can get their
I have to protest : Not all taildraggers have a tailhook ❗ ❗
😀
I thought that was probably the case. I wonder what is the purpose of gentle forward pressure, as recommended in the Learning info, as the secondary comment appears "be careful not to put the plane on its nose" (or words to that effect). As you say it seems to go back to design.
Be cautious might have been a better way to put it. When the tail starts to come up you have to make sure it doesn't go too far or you will stuff the nose in the ground. Keep just enough pressure on the stick to keep the plane level and as the plane gains speed you won't be using any pressure at all.
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