Yippee! Today at about 4:00 I received my tailwheel endorsment! I'm so excited! I went out with John (instructor) again and did three landings in the Champ 7AC. The first one had a bit of a bounce, but I handled it well and was able to recover to a second wheel landing, let the tail down and proceeded with my touch and go, then the next two were progressively better. After the third one I called for him to turn off the carb head for me (easier to do from the back seat while I have someone there to do it) to which he responded, "Well, actually, lets taxi back to the FBO. You're doing great and you know what you're doing. I'll sign your logbook to make you legal then let you do three landings on your own." I instantly had a flash back to my very first solo--feelings of great excitement, confidence and a touch of fear! lol He gave me some final words of advice and emphasized the most important, "...relax, enjoy the flight, and just fly the airplane."
My knees shook with a bit of anxiety as I held the brakes tight while he propped the engine for me. She fired up right away, and off I went to the end of runway 34 at Arlington. I phyched myself up on the way out there, going through what I had done three times just minutes ago. Fly the plane.
So, once I approached the hold line, of course, a bunch of planes decided to enter the pattern. Since this little Champ is on the slow side, and I didn't feel like holding people up, I just waited for the majority of the planes to land and exit the area. (just a few minutes) So, as the last plane exited the runway, I taxied out, said to myself, "here we go," got lined up and off I went! I'm always amazed on that first solo flight in a new airplane how differently it flies. One thing I learned today is that the lighter the plane, the greater the difference! And in this plane there was a huge difference. So, the airplane leaped off the runway, to which I thought, "no tuning back now. Now I have to do it right." But no pressure, I enjoyed the beautiful scenery, watched the other planes still in the pattern, and just flew the airplane.
My first approach was a bit high and fast--as would be expected due to the lighter airplane. I did a bit of a forward slip and came in for my best landing in that airplane up to that point! I did a wheeler and it was quite smooth. Although I did notice one different sensation this time. As soon as the mains touched (gently, actually!) and the tires screached the airplane had a very slight nose down movement, without any stick movement. It was actually a bit of a help as I eased the stick forward to keep the aircraft on the runway. I was able to manage the aircraft on the mains without any s-turning, as I had done in the past. The tail finally lowered after I brought the power back to idle, and I was done with my first solo tailwheel landing! Wohoo!
John said a quick, "Good landing, Jason" over the radio and I was back up in the air for my second attempt. This time my goal was simply, "do what I did before, whatever it was." And luckily I did just that, but even better. I was patient in my flare out and easily lowered the mains to the runway. And again, that little nose-down movement to let me know I really am on the ground as I eased the stick forward. Number two was done!
Number three was just the same, another really smooth landing. I was quite pleasantly surprised as to how smooth these three landings actually were. I did have a slight bit of s-turning on the third landing while up on the mains, but it was very subtle and I was able to get it quickly under control.
So now, as per John's suggestion, I just need to get out there and get more experience and practice. But now I can do it much cheaper. :)
Totals for my tailwheel endorsment
Flight Hours: 4.4 (4.8 including solo)
Ground: 3
Flights: 5
Landings: 27 (30 including solo)
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What I wound up doing was practicing that "maneuver" on the ground with the engine off, until I figured I could do it smoothly without dislocating my wrist or elbow. 
