The trike gear was also driven by the fact that takeoff and landings were scored. Nowadays in the current pattern, aircraft can crash land and as long as is does not have parts fall off you would most likely get full points. It is more like yes or no situation! If you crash on the runway and nothing falls off, full points.

The good pilots of the classic days made takeoff and landings that were like the aircraft was guided by a laser. The landing was scored until the aircraft stopped. No WAY could a tail dragger get all the points!! I saw a lot of hot shots that blew the points on takeoff, traffic pattern approach and landing. Expect that’s why it is scored the way it is done today.