Locking the tailwheel and runways?

[ATAG_Dutch]

Originally Posted by Sternjaeger

on large taildraggers u MUST lock your tailwheel to improve your direction stability, otherwise you'll go trimming grass on the sides of the runway. There are different kinds of tailwheel: the Mustang has a steerable mechanism that was activated when u pushed the stick forward (so that you could actually use it only during taxiing), otherwise it would stay in semi-locked position (with only 6 degrees of movement on each side); the Corsair doesn't have a steerable tailwheel, but it's lockable as well.
The rule is that your tailwheel must be locked at all times apart from when you need to steer on the ground during taxiing.

This is an interesting debate. I know I've said it before somewhere, but I never use tailwheel lock unless taking off from a busy carrier, and even then find it a bit awkward when the tail lifts so it no longer functions.
I find it much better to leave it unlocked so you have full rudder control from the word go.
Maybe it's simply a matter of taste and control style.