Probably from hearing horror stories from pilots that don't use their rudder much, if at all, then having a hard time getting it up by nailing the throttle and hoping she gets up in the air in time. I know a pilot that has been flying for 3 years, and bought a 40 size Decathlon (I think it was either Seagull or Phoenix) as his second plane after learning to fly on a Nexstar. After a few flights, he wound up crashing it. Only recently has he talked about getting another Decathlon after flying mine for a bit. Don't get me wrong, he is a good guy and a good pilot. But it is people that get themselves into similar situations as him, then talking trash about the plane (not saying that he did that, just using his experience as an example) and scaring potential pilots of said airplane.

I've only been flying about 6 months, and have had no issues with it's flight or ground handling characteristics in the 2 months I've owned it. And on top of that, I let my buddy, who has only been flying for 3 months, take off, and fly it. He had no issues with it either. Since it was my plane, he didn't want to take a chance at dinging it up a bit on landing, so he handed the TX back to me (it would've been a longer flight, but it deadsticked on him). Which brings me to another point, Decathlons deadstick very gracefully. I have had my best landings deadsticking in my Decathlon. They glide very well. This should be a testament to how well these planes really do fly. If you can fly a Cub (which, unfortunately, is another plane that has been feared for it's ground handling), you should be able to fly a Decathlon with no issues. I don't say that from personal experience, as I have never flown a Cub, but I have, however, talked to a Cub pilot that has seen me fly. He told me that they are really no problem on the ground, and you just have to continue "flying" until the plane stops.

Maybe there should be more "twitchy" taildraggers used as trainers. If you can't take off, you can't solo. Maybe that's a bit harsh for some and I don't mean to be a butt about it. Yes, it is good to have the easy to fly trainers to keep people interested in flying through their training. However, a taildragger would assist in teaching the use of the rudder. I tend to use rudder on planes that don't even need rudder to fly (IE, my "yank and bank" TWM Nemesis 52, which is, BTW, a fast and VERY twitchy airplane on the ground and with it's ailerons in the air. I would say about 2-3 complete rolls per second on high rates. It scared the snot out of my buddy when he took the TX for a couple of patterns.). I'm even now working my way into using the rudder to assist in my crosswind landings. As with full size airplanes, "stick and rudder" skills are important to learn when flying an RC. It really opens up your world to some EXCELLENT flying airplanes such as the Decathlon. Sorry, a little rant. I apologize if I offended anyone, as I was not intending to.

Now, if you're interested in one, don't be scared. Go out and get one, build it, and if you are nervous about the ground handling, get a friend that is experienced with taildraggers to take it off and trim it, then hand you the TX. Fly it around for a few minutes and see just how great it flies. You'll be itching to do full flights with it.

The Seagull Decathlons are gorgeous airplanes and look like they should be a real winner. If interested, get one. I've had a Seagull product (Yak 54 .60). It was a good flying, well built ARF. I only sold it because it wasn't my flying style, plus, I can do everything that it could do and more with my Decathlon. I just enjoy the Decathlon much more.

Do what you do and enjoy what you do.

Happy flying.

Edit:
See pic. That was after only flying for 4 1/2 months, and only 2 weeks with the Decathlon.