I've just re-started at a VGS after a 14 year break. My CGI clearance took 6 months to finally get approved!
Taxying the Vigilant, like most taildraggers, is the most difficult part of the sortie for inexperienced student pilots. The tailwheel is steerable through the rudder pedals to a certain deflection both left and right (I forget the actual degrees). After that the tailwheel steering will unlock to become fully castering...once this happens differential braking is required to change direction.
If you've not had any gliding experience before then I sympathise with the airbrake issues. Worst part about the airbrake for me was during a warm summers day doing circuit training, as opening the airbrake pressurises the cockpit, reducing the crew cooling airflow massively!
Good luck with your training. I found the VGS system of ab-initio student training so rewarding for me, that even after a 14 year break I'm excited about teaching Cadets again.
