The issue with tailwheel airplanes is that using the brakes hard when that ditch looms ahead is almost as likely to result in an accident as not using them.
I agree entirely. The time to brake hard is at the beginning of the landing roll when it is impossible to pitch over, not at the end. So if we’re going to need brakes for deceleration (rather than just for directional control), we apply them prior to touchdown and ease them off to control the pitch.
It is down to the training organisation to determine aircraft suitability for the training course and examiner to accept for the test. Lack of toe brakes is not a no go – many of the early PA28s have no toe brakes and operate on the pull parking brake which can be reached by FI/Examiner and I have tested on many times. It will depend on the actual aircraft configuration and training desired – I wouldn’t rule out testing an IRR for an experienced pilot on type for example.
