Since I've been flying a 172N converted to tailwheel, when flying tricycle 172's when I'm not PIC I really cringe at any side-load. My instincts nearly make me slam on the rudder, which I obviously refrain from. Even if they tell me "It's just a little side-loaded"... Gosh I love my taildragger I'd like to think I'm a much better pilot for it. So anyone else really cringe in tricycle gear planes with others flying?

I do that as well.

Not exactly the same thing, but kinda:
I've gotten really focussing on precision landings and stabilised approaches whenever I fly, now anytime someone else as PIC barrels straight-in and fast, pushing the nose forward/down, dragging on full flaps like air brakes.... generally untidy/rusty landings making use of 3000ft of runway.
I can barely contain myself anymore, and sometimes I just have say something - as a half-serious joke mind you

Battson wrote:
making use of 3000ft of runway.
I can barely contain myself anymore, and sometimes I just have say something -

Three things that do you absolutely no good in an airplane... (all together now)

Air in the fuel tank...
Air above you, and...
Asphalt behind you

One of the things I love to do at OSH is sit on the flight line and critique landings. I should get a series of cards like they use at ski and skating competitions to rate them.

Last year, I watched a 172 come screaming in to land on 27, which is some 6200' long. He touched down at about the 5000' mark or so, at an incredibly high speed, locked the brakes, and literally slid to the end of the runway with tire's smoking all the way. He was so close to the end of the runway, like with the prop hanging over the end, that he had to shut down, and he and his passenger got out and pushed the airplane back so that he could start up and turn it around. Not exactly what I'd call "landing on the orange dot".

Although I do cringe if someone lands my airplane with any sideload (I have to pay for the tires), I cringe much more if I see anyone try to make a short field landing by using excessive braking. It's just not necessary.

Cary

How do you stop extra short without heavy braking? In my experience I cannot get a 180 stopped in 250ft without heavy braking.

You won't stop a 180/185 that short with out fairly heavy braking. Cary, I'm suprised that the 172 you saw in OSH didn't Flat spot his tires thru to the tubes. It's fun sitting on a busy flight line and watching the fun, same as going to a busy boat launching ramp, see some near divorces
Ron