[redpoint5]

What is the advantage of the wheel? When it isn't touching the ground, it's placing extra stress on the frame, and when it is hitting the ground, it's due to lack of clearance, which places a great deal of stress on the frame.

Commercial airlines don't use tail wheels, but instead leave sufficient clearance to maneuver.

I'd say go with the KISS principle.

EDIT: Nevermind, I get the purpose. Design the most aero efficient angle on the tail and mitigate the issue of tail strikes.

What about placing the tail on a spring loaded hinge so that a friction surface on the bottom of it strikes the ground and moves the whole thing up, and then returns to position once clearance is no longer an issue? Better to move the smaller, lighter object than to make the whole vehicle conform to it, right?