Used to be a 6 monthly check years ago on the Wessex. One of the old and bold Master Pilots used to do it without using the lever (light weight aircraft) - just flare at the bottom until the tail wheel touched, then rotate about the tail until the mains hit - piece of cake! Later on Pumas, pilot ran out of fuel in Portugal and flew an EOL to a parade square (yes, he nearly made it before the fuel ran out) and broke the tail boom off on touchdown. Walked away from the wreckage though, so I suppose it was a good one!