RE: change from trike to tail.
Sounds like a good plan. Btw, I find my Cap 21 is actually pretty tame as far as tail dragger ground handling goes. Planes like cubs are harder to deal with. I personally like the gear set up so that the plane will just barely sit up on the nose. But that isn't necessarily a good measure, it's just worked out well for me. I agree that right around the wing LE is a good place to start.